There was little verbal sparring or sniping, and it was a clean fight with political opponents maintaining their respective ideological corners at the all candidates debate at Four Points Sheraton in Thorold, Wednesday evening.
Six candidates representing Niagara Centre proclaimed their platforms in front of a small crowd of about 100 people. Taking part were incumbent Vance Badawey, Liberal; Malcom Allen, NDP; April Jeffs, Conservative; Michael Tomaino, Green; Nic Bylsma Christian Heritage Party; and Robert Walker Marxist-Leninist.
The event, sponsored by the Niagara Centre Board Of Trade And Commerce, maintained its order and civil tone due to moderators, Susan Pedlar, a Niagara College journalism instructor; and Grant LaFleche, a St. Catharines Standard Reporter; who fielded well-researched questions. They kept candidates on topic and fact-checked comments made during the debate and asked for clarification on several comments made.
The CBC’s poll tracker on Tuesday reported the Conservatives leading at 34.4 per cent with the Liberals trailing by one per cent at 33.3 per cent, the NDP at 13 per cent, and the Green Party at 10.1 per cent.
The debate allowed for a two-minute introduction, questions by the moderators, and then closing remarks.
Here are several of the highlights:
The opening question asked candidates to comment on the tone of the upcoming election and why voters should trust any of the political leaders in light of recent incidents where Justin Trudeau, Andrew Scheer and Elizabeth May were less than truthful.
Liberal MP Badawey said he was taught growing up to stand up, own up, and if someone was wrong to apologize and move on. He was speaking in reference to the publicity about Premier Trudeau imitating an East Indian man wearing blackface.
Andrew Scheer was caught recently embellishing his resume and Jeffs said at least they (the Conservatives) are willing to show up to debates, and that voters should look up the party that is trying to help them.
Referring to an incident where Elizabeth May photos were photoshopped, Tomaino replied "A staffer in May's office did the photoshopping without May's knowledge."
Twenty-one year old Bylsma, candidate for the right-wing, CHP, which believes in family values with “life, liberty and freedom,” said his party had nothing to hide and believes in transparency and “truths in the Bible.” However, Pedlar noted she had read the Christian Heritage platform on-line stating: “Canadian families are under attack.”
Pedlar asked Bylsma to explain how the party arrived at that conclusion: “What study is that from?”
Bylsma couldn’t answer.
The biggest faux pas of the evening came from Jeffs. While discussing safe drinking water, especially among indigenous communities, she pointed out that it's not just the drinking water, it affects fish. She then said, that First Nations people value fish above people. Lafleche did a quick fact check and interjected that the statement wasn't factual.
Given the shootings Saturday in St. Catharines and recently in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Pedlar asked how each party would handle gun violence.
Badawey replied the Liberals wanted stricter control of the borders to prevent guns from coming in, as well as creating harsher penalties for gun-related crimes. Allen noted Federal NDP leader, Jagmeet Singh is from Surrey, B.C., where there is a lot of street violence, and he recently announced a program to help youth stay out of gangs.
Taking a shot at the Liberal’s gun reform, Allen said “People who tend to shoot someone on the street are not going to participate in a buy-back gun program.” Allen said the NDP would ban handguns, if elected.
Niagara Centre’s Green Party candidate, Tomaino, agreed with banning handguns, as well, adding more funding is needed to assist persons with mental health and addiction issues to help decrease crimes. Walker noted it was important to keep the gun registry, which was eliminated by the previous Conservative government. Jeffs pointed out that it was a complex problem, and she would like “a blue-ribbon task force to work on this.” In addition, she said the Tories would legislate harsher penalties for violent crimes. Bylsma said he didn't see the need for any gun controls.
Plans for climate change and whether the carbon tax was adequate enough topped the list of questions. Bylsma was the only candidate who stated he didn’t believe climate change was affected by human activity.
“I think the earth is just going through a cycle, so we shouldn't worry about it,” he said.
Disputing that, the Green party is based on “the clear and convincing evidence of climate change,” which is supported by about 90 per cent of all scientists,” said Tomaino. A Climate Action Act that would set high standards to achieve the goals necessary to mitigate the adverse effects of climate change is on the Green party’s agenda, he said. As a pharmacist, Tomaino believes in science and fact-based technology.
Over time, Allen has noticed a reduction in ash trees and many animal species that are vital to the planet’s eco-system. Both Allen and Tomaino promise to use transition to green energy to create jobs and a sustainable future. Albeit, everyone on the panel criticized the carbon tax for falling short of being able to reduce carbon emissions, particularly the Conservative party.
Jeffs asserted the carbon tax increases the cost of gasoline by 31 cents. LaFleche interjected at that point and said: “Gas hasn’t gone up.” Jeffs argued: “It fluctuates.” Instead, the Tories prefer a tax credit system. “We are also looking to investing in green technology,” which includes encouraging green business and patents, said Jeffs.
Allen, Tomaino and Walker all agree on creating green residential and public buildings and making all public transit systems electric.
Should dental care be included in our health coverage? Badawey noted the Liberals already have a plan for pharmacare, and added by 2021, the Liberals are attempting to have dental, hearing and vision all included in a health care plan.
“We are putting together an advisory committee that is sustainable and responsible,” he said. The aging population was taking a huge chunk – “60 per cent of our budget,” which is why he believed a committee is needed to determine the plan’s feasibility.
Bylsma, noting his teeth were fine, said the money would be better off in the pockets of individuals than in a pharmacare plan.
Tomaino, Walker and Allen were in consensus that the rich should be taxed higher in order to pay for social programs that were needed.
“It just takes political will to improve these areas,” said Tomaino.
“It’s about choice. Dental care has ramifications across the health board,” pointed out Allen.
The question on affordable housing brought a wide range of solutions, with all parties weighing in on the belief that housing was a basic human right, despite the fact that affordable housing is still a significant problem locally, and in many areas. Badawey said the Liberals have already built 12,000 homes and have an affordable housing project approved in conjunction with the mental health support facility, the Hope Centre in Welland. Bylsma argued property values go down when affordable housing is present.
Jeffs vowed the Conservatives are “looking to develop federal surplus land into more affordable housing.”
The Conservatives also want to lessen the stress on potential homeowners by extending mortgage terms to 30 years to give people more time to pay for their homes. Both the Green Party and NDP pledged to increase affordable housing significantly in the next 10 years, if elected. Walker pointed out that if housing is a basic human right then persons shouldn’t be evicted if they can’t afford to pay their rent.
The closing remarks were re-statements of each party's position. Badawey currently being in power had the distinct advantage to point to his record. He said the Liberals brought $450 million into Niagara during his term.
"That's unprecedented," he said.
In closing, Pedlar reminded the audience to vote, and bring their children to the polls as it encourages and instills voting in future.
