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Home My WebLink AboutThe Citizen, 2015-10-15, Page 9THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2015. PAGE 9. Continued from page 8 3. What do you see as being the largest single issue facing Huron- Bruce over the next term? And what would you do, if elected, to deal with it? BL: I see jobs and economic growth continuing to be an issue, not only across Canada but also here in Huron-Bruce. We will continue to keep taxes low and target investments to keep our economy growing and moving forward. Our Prime Minister is aiming to create an additional 1.3 million new jobs by 2020. This level of job growth would see new jobs created at a slightly faster pace than previously, in the face of significant global economic instability. With our low-tax, balanced budget plan it is an achievable target by 2020. The Liberals and NDP would run permanent deficits, raise taxes and hike payroll taxes in order to pay for their promises. AT : I think we need to work harder to create opportunities for our young people here in Huron-Bruce. I think too many people have experienced seeing their children grow up and move away, never to return. We need to make it a viable option for our young people to settle down and make their lives here in Huron-Bruce, if that is their choice. That means looking long and hard at the way we promote economic development in the riding, supporting small business and innovators who are looking for ways to create opportunity here. One strategy is to invest heavily in our infrastructure, both the traditional infrastructure of bridges and ports, but also the kind of social infrastructure that leads to better communities - child care facilities, seniors residences, cultural and recreational facilities and so on. GC: Jobs and poverty. On the issue of jobs, I realize this riding is unlikely to get another big employer of 500 or more people in the near future. But, the NDP (and I) recognize the huge role small businesses play in the local economy. That’s where we aim to provide innovation tax credits to allow smaller manufacturers to buy much needed equipment so they can expand their workforces without running into the red. As an MP, I would be in a position to help small businesses acquire grants and credits to be able to grow, and will certainly vote for the NDP’s lowering of the small business tax from 11 to nine per cent. On poverty, this riding needs a listening ear more than anything. There are so many NGO or third- party groups dedicated to eradicating poverty in this riding but they need the ear of the federal government. While writing for local papers, I’ve listened to too many heartbreaking stories of people caught in the system with nowhere to turn. I want to help where people are hurting most, and the two groups hit disproportionately hard in this riding are widowed seniors and single young mothers. The NDP plan to bring seniors out of poverty and implement $15 a day childcare helps both these disadvantaged groups get a head start. JS: The imminent decision about radioactive operational nuclear waste burial and abandonment in the Great Lakes Basin in a deep geologic repository (DGR) is very important for our citizens. The Green Party of Canada opposes the proposed plan together with the Municipalities of Bluewater and 174 other communities. As your Member of Parliament I would bring a balanced message to influence the new Federal Minister of the Environment by December 1, 2015. 4. What do you think is the most difficult challenge facing the agricultural sector, the biggest economic driver in the riding, going forward? What would you do to help farmers? BL: Under previous Liberal governments, Canadian farmers and farming communities were neglected and left to face the significant challenges of modern- day farming without the right tools or support. That was unacceptable. Since 2006, our government has supported Canada’s farm families by delivering the right tools and programs to help farm families deal with environmental challenges and uncertainties, investing in research and development so farmers can strengthen their production, working to secure the health and integrity of Canada’s food supply and opening markets, while continuing to protect and preserve jobs, for Canadian farmers on tables around the world. Trade is vital to Canada’s continued economic prosperity and we have expanded new markets for Canadian farmers from five to 51 free trade agreements since 2006. This includes the landmark free trade agreements we negotiated with the European Union, South Korea as well as the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP). These agreements will reduce or eliminate tariffs on virtually all agricultural products grown in Huron-Bruce. We have also made continuous improvements to the Advance Payments Program to stimulate investment and innovation in Canada’s agriculture sector as well as streamline administration, provide greater flexibility and more repayment options. AT : Agriculture is the backbone of our economy here in Huron-Bruce, it is our past, our present and our future. Canada is one of the largest agricultural exporters in the world, and farmers are essential to putting healthy and affordable food in grocery stores and on our tables. Just recently, the Liberal Party unveiled a plan to make immediate investments in the agriculture sector. We will invest $160 million over four years in an Agri-Food Value Added Investment Fund to attract investment and create good jobs in food processing, in addition to $100 million over four years in agricultural research to support innovation in the sector. The Liberals also support free trade and will take a responsible approach to examining the yet-to- be-published details of the Trans- Pacific Partnership – and will safeguard our sensitive sectors like supply management. GC: If I had to pick one, I would say it is a federal government bent on dismantling supply management and making bad trade deals. I realize supply-managed agriculture is only between eight and 10 per cent of all farming, but our MP and Prime Minister both stated supply management would not be touched in the TPP and yet, they have already begun snipping away at the corners. That quota is gone now. Aside from that aspect, our government is entering into trade deals that are short-sighted – equating market access to profit. Access to markets or tariff Candidates discuss agriculture, recession A new approach Gerard Creces of the NDP, seen above at an all-candidates meeting in late September, wants to introduce a number of new initiatives to the country and to the riding, including affordable daycare through the NDP platform. (File photo) Time for change Allan Thompson, the Huron-Bruce candidate for the Liberal Party suggests that it’s time for a change from the Stephen Harper era and the Conservative government. He says that Justin Trudeau, the party’s leader, is ready to run the province. (File photo) Ask A Financial Advisor When Can I Retire? If you’re still in the work force, eventually, you’re going to ask yourself: “When can I retire?” To answer this question, you’ll need to take three steps. First, you’ll have to identify your potential sources of retirement income, such as the Canada Pension Plan, Old Age Security and other government programs, as well as a workplace pension if you have one. You’ll also need to consider your personal savings, such as your RRSP or TFSA. Your second step is to determine if a gap exists between the income you can count on during retirement and the money you’ll need to support your retirement lifestyle. A professional financial advisor can help you make this calculation. Your final step is to decide how to close any retirement gap. Unless you want to delay your retirement, or scale down your retirement lifestyle, you may need to contribute more to your RRSP and other investment accounts. You also should consider working with a financial advisor to choose the appropriate mix of investments to help your money grow over time. But in any case, don’t wait too long before you tackle the “When can I retire?” question — because the sooner you start working on it, the better the answer you’ll get. Have a question you want answered here? Ask Brian by phone or email. Brian Hilt - Financial Advisor 79 Ontario Road, P.O. Box 1450 Mitchell, ON N0K 1N0 (519) 348-9873 brian.hilt@edwardjones.com Member - Canadian Investor Protection Fund MEETING NOTICE Municipality of Morris-Turnberry The upcoming meetings for the Municipality of Morris-Turnberry will be held: Tuesday, October 13 at 7:00 p.m. Special Council Meeting Tuesday, October 20 at 7:30 p.m. Regular Council Meeting Wednesday, October 21 at 7:00 p.m. Joint Meeting with the Township of North Huron, at the Columbus Room at the North Huron Wescast Community Complex Sheepskin Coats Downtown Blyth 519-523-4740 Bainton’s Old Mill #1 And We Still Try Harder! Recent circulation figures show The Citizen has the highest circulation in the northern part of Huron County, #3 in the entire county. The Citizen Proudly Community- Owned Since 1985 Continued on page 22