By Mike Renzella
The Haldimand Press
HAGERSVILLE—Climate change, pharmacare, and affordable housing were among the many issues covered in an all candidates debate hosted by The Haldimand Press and held at the Hagersville Legion Thursday, October 3, 2019 in front of an audience of over 100 people.
On the issue of jobs and infrastructure, current Conservative MP Diane Finley mentioned how she is very pleased with the $400 million of infrastructure upgrades that have been implemented during her time in office.
PPC candidate Bob Forbes spoke about lowering taxes for all businesses, while eliminating corporate subsidies to create income that can be spread around. “No more wasteful spending,” said Forbes. “Put it where it’s needed.”
Liberal Candidate Kim Huffman mentioned the 4,500 acre industrial park located near Lake Erie.
“We have had no new development in 15 years,” said Huffman. She would like to bring new jobs there in emerging fields, such as biomass and biofuel.
Green Party Candidate Brooke Martin said her party would “look at creating incentives for retrofitting homes, which would create a lot of jobs for the trades throughout Canada.” Her party wants to create new green-focused jobs, with a commitment across all levels of government to ensure municipal funds are properly allocated.
NDP Candidate Adrienne Roberts also spoke about creating 300,000 new jobs to transition from oil and gas to green energy initiatives.
VCP Candidate Harold Stewart spoke about creating a new national lottery, with proceeds benefitting multiple issues, including infrastructure needs.
CHP Candidate Lily Eggink spoke about how her party would make changes to the welfare system, with more strict guidelines for who is eligible, and training programs in place to assist people looking for work.
On the issue of pharmacare, Roberts said, “We’ve been waiting since the 1960s to have a universal health care plan that also includes pharmacare.” She outlined the NDP plan to have pharmacare and dental care in place by 2020.
Huffman echoed the sentiment: “No Canadian should have to choose between putting food on the table or getting the medication they need.”
Martin was on board with universal drug coverage, stating that her party would negotiate with pharmaceutical companies on a national level. Finley spoke about lowering taxes instead to free up income that could be used to cover medical expenses.
On the issue of climate change, Martin spoke about encouraging people to lower their carbon emissions by collecting a carbon tax and redistributing it based on the amount of carbon products people purchase over a year. Roberts said the NDP would target companies with large emissions and tax them accordingly, as well as force them to be accountable for their environmental impact.
Finley said that instead of the carbon tax, her party would focus on helping companies “develop technologies that could have a global impact”, which would create jobs at home while helping countries like China and India to reduce their emissions as well.
Huffman responded, “I’m unclear as to why the Conservative government does not seem to understand what the rest of the world understands.” She noted that the Liberal party is committed to meeting the five-year targets laid out in the Paris Climate Accord, and to stay on target to reach the goal of zero net emissions by 2050.
Forbes, Stewart, and Eggink all renounced the carbon tax.
“We will withdraw from the Paris Accord, and abandon unrealistic expectations,” said Forbes. He mentioned that the PPC will work to create cleaner air, water, and soil in Canada with an emphasis on First Nation communities. Stewart also stated that the VCP will look to repeal carbon taxes, but with a commitment to reduce carbon emissions up to 80% by 2050.
On the issue of the supply management system in Canada,
the majority of candidates were in agreement that it is necessary to protect Canadian products and workers. Eggink stated, “Supply management is not perfect by any means, but it is essential to ensure Canadian producers of these products are able to consistently supply high quality products.”
Roberts said, “We want to commit to local agriculture, from farming to manufacturing.” Huffman added, “The supply management system works, and it will stay in effect.”
Forbes was the lone dissenter. He called supply management a “government enforced cartel that keeps the price of dairy, poultry, and eggs artificially high.” He said the system is inefficient and fundamentally unfair to consumers and farmers, and that the PPC plans to create a “free, open, and fair system that will save Canadians billions of dollars annually.”
On the issue of pension plans, Roberts spoke about the need for security in old age: “I’m seeing my own future unfold through their eyes.” She detailed the NDP plan to ensure pension plans are paid out before corporations are paid dividends, referencing the shutdown of Sears. Martin offered a similar stance, promising that the Green Party would protect pension plans from corporate bankruptcy and audit corporations to ensure their pension plans are properly funded.
Both Forbes and Stewart mentioned billions of dollars of CPP funding being used for foreign investments, and their plans to redistribute that money at home. “My dad passed trying to put food on the table because he couldn’t afford retirement,” said Stewart. The VCP is promising tax-free pension
plans, and an increased CPP and old age security.
Eggink called current pension funding inadequate to meet the needs of seniors, and Finley highlighted how rising taxes and inflation create a climate of instability for seniors living on fixed incomes. Huffman highlighted the Liberal plan to top up income for up to one million single seniors, while developing housing strategies for independence, and making it easier for workers to take time off to care for loved ones.
On the issue of affordable housing, all parties agreed on the severity of the issue. “It’s tough, it’s really tough,” said Finley. Eggink spoke about how unaffordable housing puts strains on families and can lead to broken homes.
Huffman called affordable housing “a fundamental right for all Canadians,” and she outlined the Liberal plan to work with developers to commit to a range of housing prices, calling the national strategy the first of its kind.
Martin brought up her party’s plan to provide funding for non-profit organizations to build housing for seniors and low-income families. Roberts, a teacher, spoke about how her students feel hopeless about home ownership and outlined the NDP plan to build 500,000 new affordable homes across the country, in both rural and urban areas, as well as doubling the tax credits for first time home buyers.
The Federal election takes place on October 21, 2019. Residents should have received their voter card for information on where to vote on election day or in advanced polls. For more information, visit elections.ca.
Follow this link for an audio recording of the entire debate: podbean.com/ew/pb-ufnuc-c200a2
