After all, he refers to being president of the John Fitzpatrick Steelworkers Housing Co-op where he lives as a hobby that he does for fun.

Perhaps then, it’s no surprise Mr. Dowsett is relishing his position as an underdog in the Oct. 14 federal election.

Though, the United Steelworkers Union representative wants to prove the pundits who wrote him off two years ago wrong, again.

“I think I performed very well in the last election. I got almost 10 per cent of the votes. Leading up to the election, experts thought I would only get 3 per cent and I plan to do even better this time,” Mr. Dowsett said.

He ended up finishing third in the race for Richmond Hill MP in the 2006 federal election.

The 53-year-old called his first foray into federal politics as a candidate a unique experience, in which he learned the most from pounding the pavement and visiting homes around town.

“When you are out there knocking on people’s doors and having them share what their concerns are, you realize that it is different than reading the newspaper and then thinking you know what voters want on a daily basis,” he said.

Through those conversations with residents, as well as his experience in the manufacturing sector as a union representative, he said job security is always an issue near the top of the list.

Quite frankly, it seems like (the Liberals) are suffering from leadership problems.

“For 20 years, I have negotiated collective agreements for working people and I did that very effectively for 16 years, but for the last four years, I have gone from plant to plant shutting them down in uprecedented numbers,” he lamented.

“We are at a point where we have lost half a million manufacturing jobs in the Canadian economy,” he added.

And though he said the NDP is equipped to handle this concern, Mr. Dowsett’s immediate task remains gaining the ears and votes of what remains a predominantly white-collar riding, while toppling a Liberal candidate who recieved more than 50 per cent of votes in the last federal election.

And though he admitted to respecting Liberal incumbent Bryon Wilfert, Mr. Dowsett believes the iron is hot for change in Richmond Hill.

“The promises made by the Liberal party and also extended by Bryon in the last election haven’t borne any fruit. Quite frankly, it seems like his party is suffering from leadership problems and (Stephen) Harper timed his election to when he felt the Liberals are at their weakest,” Mr. Dowsett said, adding the prime minister broke his promise by calling this election.

“He said that if elected, he was going to pass a law fixing election dates. A prime minister shouldn’t have the opportunity to call an election when it is to their strategic advantage. So, how can you trust somebody who breaks their own law?”

Wess Dowsett throws in his 2 cents on:

Jack Layton, NDP leader, “Wonderful leader. Equipped and prepared.”

Dave Barrow, Richmond Hill Mayor, “Can’t say much, so I won’t say anything.”

Stephen Harper, prime minister, “Leading country in the wrong direction.”

Bryon Wilfert, Liberal incumbent, “Well respected, with an incapable party.”

Chungsen Leung, Conservative candidate, “Don’t know the man, can’t comment.”

Dylan Marando, Green party candidate. “Don’t know the man, can’t comment.”

Ontario’s economy, “Abandoned by Ottawa.”

Elizabeth May, Green party leader, “A second Liberal voice.”

Stephane Dion, Liberal leader, “Too many problems.”

Richmond Hill’s public transit, “Needs focus and GO train all day every day.”

Richmond Hill’s environmental footprint, “Hand-in-hand with transit.”

Bob Rae, Liberal MP, former NDP leader. “Has embarked on a different path, I wish him well.”
   Adam Mc Lean