Liberal, Pontiac

William Amos

Why are you running?

I’m running to serve the public and to fight for a better future for my kids. The climate crisis is at the forefront of this election. 

Voters must decide which party has the strongest plan to protect the environment. If re-elected, I will continue to advocate on behalf of Pontiac families, youth and seniors for more action on climate change in addition to investments in healthcare, public transit, municipal infrastructure, and high-speed Internet and cell phone service. 

What is your day job?

I was elected as Member of Parliament for Pontiac in 2015. Before making the jump into politics, I worked as the Director of the Environmental Law Clinic at the University of Ottawa, where I taught students how to hold governments and corporations accountable to Canadians. I’ve been involved in law and policy matters related to energy, climate, environment and indigenous peoples for 20 years and have litigated cases before all levels of Canadian courts, including the Supreme Court of Canada.  

What are your passions in work and life? (Volunteerism, sport, art, etc.)

As an environmental lawyer and as an MP, I’ve been involved in law and policy matters related to energy, climate, environment and indigenous peoples for 20 years and have litigated cases before all levels of Canadian courts, including the Supreme Court of Canada. 

I have worked to protect Canada’s lands, lakes and rivers through tougher federal water and environmental assessment laws. I also advocated for a ban on single-use plastics, championed toxic law reform and fought for climate action and helped to secure a $1.3 billion investment in Budget 2018 to conserve Canada’s nature. I am happy to be one of the 25 candidates nationwide endorsed by GreenPAC, a non-partisan, independent organization that works to elect environmental leaders from all major parties. 

In my private time, I play and learn with my wife and children, with whom I enjoy paddling and canoe tripping, swimming, speaking Spanish, hockey, biking, and visiting local markets.

What would your short-term and long-term priorities be should you be elected?

My number one priority as MP is, and has always been, to strengthen our regional economy by focusing on local priorities in collaboration with local leaders, community groups and residents. 

Rurally, reliable Internet and cell phone coverage are a top priority. These services are essential to rural economic vitality and, as we saw during the recent floods and tornadoes, to public safety. Over the past year, I announced over $20 million in high-speed Internet projects across Pontiac, benefitting over 4,200 households in 30 communities. All these projects will be completed by 2021. I introduced a private member’s motion, M-208 calling for expanded digital infrastructure in rural areas. This motion helped secure further federal investments in Internet infrastructure in Budget 2019.