Candidates face off in final local debate before election

By Mike Renzella

The Haldimand Press

CAYUGA—Candidates in the upcoming election took part in a second Haldimand debate last Thursday at the Haldimand Agricultural Centre. Topics of discussion included how to tackle the deficit, cannabis legalization, protecting farmers, and more.

On the issue of protecting farmers, Green Party candidate Brooke Martin spoke about helping Canadian farmers stay competitive by reducing input costs: “We are focusing on regenerative farming, which means working with nature instead of against it.” She described a carbon-based tariff that would impose restrictions on imported goods from countries that do not adhere to quality standards.

CHP candidate Lily Eggink spoke about finding ways to allow farmers to sell their products outside of the supply management system if they choose to do so: “We must accept some compromise of our free enterprise values in order to protect our agricultural sovereignty.”

Conservative MP Diane Finley spoke about how it is important to improve our relationship with China in regards to free trade: “There is nothing wrong with Canadian products, it is China playing politics.” She said Justin Trudeau has a poor relationship with China, and it needs to be reset.

NDP candidate Adrienne Roberts added, “We need to have a bit of a backbone, and say we’re not going to accept an inferior trade deal.”

Liberal candidate Kim Huffman called the issue with China “retribution from the Chinese government in regards to the detention of Huawei’s chief financial officer…. We need to keep things in perspective.” She defended the carbon tax as “absolutely necessary”.

Lastly, VCP Candidate Harold Stewart spoke about lowering the farm tax and the cost of fuel to help manage the costs of running a farm.

On the issue of cannabis legalization, Eggink took a firm stance: “It must be returned to the category of illegal drug.”