Open Sources Guelph - Andrew Seagram (October 1, 2015)

The election started with New Democratic Party leader Tom Mulcair being the heir apparent for the Prime Minister's Office, but this week on Open Sources Guelph we're wondering a more local-focused question: can an NDP candidate overturn the 22 year Liberal Party dynasty in the Royal City. We've had the Liberal candidate on the show to tell us why we should stay red, and this week's its the NDP's turn to tell us why we should like some Orange Crush.

This Thursday, October 1, at 5 pm, Scotty Hertz  and Adam A. Donaldson will talk with NDP candidate Andrew Seagram.

Who's Andrew Seagram? Let's let him tell you.

Andrew is passionate about making Guelph a better place. He’s ready to devote his energy and experience to delivering the change we need as our next Member of Parliament.

Andrew works for the Upper Grand District School Board as coordinator of the Community Use of Schools Program, turning schools into community hubs by renting them at minimal cost to local non-profit groups.

A dedicated advocate for food security, Andrew started Guelph’s community garden network, organized local emergency food providers and co-founded the Guelph and Wellington Food Round Table.

He has also served as co-chair of the Guelph and Wellington Task Force for Poverty Elimination, vice-president of the not-for-profit Gordon Street Condo Development Corporation, and treasurer and co-chair of Ed Video Media Arts Centre.

While attending the University of Guelph, Andrew worked at a local youth detention centre—and later moved to British Columbia to pursue a career in social work. Returning to Guelph in 1997, he worked as a settlement counsellor for Citizenship and Immigration Canada, where he helped in the effort to settle hundreds of refugees from Kosovo refugee airlift. He went on to work as a community legal worker for the Legal Clinic of Guelph and Wellington County.

In 2003, Andrew decided to attend Humber College’s comedy writing and performance program. He went on to found the Guelph Comedy Festival, now in its sixth successful year, and has served as its artistic director.

Throughout his life, Andrew has been committed to building a fairer, more equitable society where everyone has the opportunity to succeed. He is the proud father of two and lives in Guelph with his partner Karen.

In studio this week, we'll ask Seagram about his background as a community organizer, his stance on local issues including jobs, the economy, education and foreign affairs, and we'll talk about the NDP's chances to form the next government, their first, and whether or not he can colour this town orange.

And in case you were interested, the Guelph Comedy Festival is actually this weekend.

Open Sources is live on CFRU 93.3 fm and cfru.ca at 5 pm on Thursday.