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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1997-05-28, Page 7THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, MAY 28,1997 PAGE 7. Little debate as candidates discuss It was a full house in attendance at Goderich Twp. Community Hall on Thursday evening to hear the five Huron-Bruce candidates, from left Christian Heritage Party's Dave Joslin, New Democrat Jan Johnstone, Reform's Doug Fines, Liberal MP Paul Steckle and Progressive Conservative Colleen Schenk talk on a number of issue. The evening was hosted by the Huron Federation of Agriculture. Continued from page 1 grassroots investment. He men­ tioned the concept of free votes, which allows a cabinet minister to "test drive a bill. If he can't con­ vince MPs how can he convince Canadians." Fines also said a tax relief pro­ gram would be "real and meaning­ ful", when the deficit is down. Saying his government had fought for the protection of tariffs, Steckle added that they had accom­ plished many positive things pri­ marily the reduction of the deficit to a level one year ahead of their goal. However, the goal for fiscal responsiblity isn't over, he said. "We cannot continue to give hand­ outs if we have a deficit. I feel we must stay the course so that we go into the 21st century with a strong economy." A government under Jean Charest would be one of continued support for farmers, said Schenk. She noted as well that job creation was a priority and that the NISA program would be kept and enhanced. Schenk said that PC's new policy platform addresses the issues of health care, education and gun control. Government intervention into the daily lives of Canadians should be reduced, Schenk said. Sustaining agriculture Following the opening statements there was a question and answer period which began with the topic of sustaining agriculture in Canada as a vital part of the economy. Each candidate promised to work for the farmers if elected. Joslin noted that many CHP members are farmers who therefore recognize the importance of agri­ culture to the country's economy. Johnstone noted that agricultural production means jobs. "It’s impor­ tant to make sure jobs are out there because when people work, Canada works." Fines said the Reform Party is looking at long-term measures for a market-driven industry. The priori­ ty is on cost reduction and cost avoidance rather than on cost recovery. Reform would also reduce taxes, he said, leaving "more money in the consumers' hands." The Liberals, Steckle said, would continue to pul forward initiatives to support agriculture. He also acknowledged his government's "strong rural caucus". Schenk said the PC's would con­ tinue and enhance programs like NISA and break down inter-provin­ cial trade barriers. The candidates were then ques­ tioned on their position regarding GRIP, NISA and Crop insurance. While they agreed that a beneficial program should be maintained, there was some debate as to which are. Johnstone said she believed NISA had serious limitations. Fines said the programs were designed to assist farmers in need. "Reform's position is to help and protect them from unfair competi­ tion in the world markets." "We commit to the whole farm support program," said Steckle. He added that he too thought NISA might be improved. Schenk, however, said that in talking to constituents, she had heard much support for NISA and little for GRIP. "It may have to be reviewed," she said. Joslin said he is waiting for a day when everyone is competing on a level playing field. Until then, how­ ever, eliminating these programs would be like opening "our chests and sticking in a sword." He too, felt that some programs may need to be reviewed. Fines said to ensure the on-going viability of supply management marketing boards should get direc­ tion from producers. Steckle said the Liberals "did not negotiate away our marketing boards." He added that they saved sectors that were supply managed and have maintained support of those industries. Schenk said like the Liberals the PCs are proposing a phase-out of dairy subsidies. She then noted that $1 billion daily in revenue is com­ ing into Canada because of free trade. Joslin said he believed market boards and subsidies are on the way out, while Johnstone said she was supportive of a supply management system. "I believe it should be kept for the income security of farmers and the food security of Canada." Regarding cost-recovery, Schenk said, "It should not be borne by the farmers." Joslin's view that there was too much duplication across borders. "If Americans have done the research, accept it and their stan­ dards." Johnstone attacked the Liberals for promising there would be more funds for agriculture research then reducing the funding. "Research should promote income and safe­ ty," she said. Fines said it is ludicrous that pes­ ticides are not allowed into Canada from the States, but the fruit that has been sprayed with those chemi­ cals is. Unemployment When asked their position on declining transfer payments and job losses, Schenk promised that more money would be put into health and education. Joslin said there needs to be a fundamental rethinking of the role government plays. "We stand for a drastic downsizing of government." The NDP, said Johnstone, believes in health care, welfare and social spending. "Jobs mean not just taxes, but the restoration of hope." Commenting on the $7.5 billion the Liberals took out of health care and education, Fines said a Reform government would give $4 billion back to the province, "no strings attached." In response, Steckle said "the numbers are not always factual as others see them." Liberals, howev­ er, believe in the importance of maintaining the control of cash to the provinces and 11 continue to do so, he said. Women's issues On women's issues such as child care, health and safety and equality, Joslin said his party believes in three governments in Canada, home, church and state. He opposes institutional day care believing that children are better in the home with a parent or relative. Johnstone slammed the Liberals for reneging on a promise to fight violence against women. "It's shameful and disgusting to risk women and children’s lives." Tax deduction is the key, said Fines, regardless of how children are being cared for. Schenk also felt that a tax deduction would assist women with some of the challenges facing them. Steckle said the government promised to make certain child care spots available contingent on the province matching the dollars. Money has been promised in the budget, he said, to benefit families, and for children entering post-sec­ ondary education. Native Issues The candidates all agreed that native issues need to be settled fair­ ly and quickly. Steckle said attempts to settle by all govern­ ments have not been easy, but the Liberals have settled more claims than any other. Schenk said self- government was the move her party would take, while Reform also sees the need to get long-overdue claims settled. Johnstone said the NDP supports aboriginal rights and believes they should "get the land they wish." Joslin while in agreement, howev­ er, said that many claims are not legitimate and self-government is not an answer. "Will we have one country or one land mass with sev­ eral governments and justice sys­ tems? This is clearly not the way to go. Past injustices should not be visited on people innocent of those injustices." Poverty When asked how the tax system could be changed to meet the needs of the poor, Fines said he envi­ sioned raising levels of income so young families would have to make in the area of $24,000 before pay­ ing income lax. Steckle said the budget indicated those making less than $26,000 would be exempt, while there is to be an increase in the child tax bene­ fit. "A number of measures have been taken for better ways." Schenk and Johnstone agreed the answer to poverty is jobs. Schenk also noted reform of the tax system, increasing the basic income tax credit, cutting out government red tape and reducing small business tax rates. Joslin said CHP had a three­ pronged answer to poverty. First is education, which he believes is best achieved through the private sector. Second is the "much disparaged Protestant work ethic" and finally a vibrant economy. Capital punishment Joslin was the only candidate who spoke in favour of capital pun­ ishment. He argued that legislation has been based on the hard "what if’ cases. People need to look at what is the appropriate penalty. "If we get life, it's not life in Canada." "I maintain that because life is sacred there are only certain instances when it can be taken." Fines said capital punishment is a moral issue that if need be would be decided in a referendum. Gun control None of the candidates supported gun control as it presently exists. Steckle who did not support his government's Bill C-68 said a fire arms certificate would be a partial answer so that police officers when answering a domestic dispute for example would know if there was a firearm in the house. Amalgamation The amalgamation of Ag Canada with three other ministries was opposed by Steckle, Johnstone and Fines, who fear it would reduce the agricultural voice. Johnstone sim­ ply said no to the idea, while Fines and Steckle were more vehement. Saying that a Reform government would keep the four ministries, Ag Canada, Environment, Natural Resources and Fisheries and Oceans, separate, Fines added, "Agriculture would not fare well if merged. Il would reduce their impact. Noting that agriculture is respon­ sible for 15 per cent of the coun­ try's employment, Steckle said, "Doing this would bankrupt our country. We would never support it." Schenk argued, however, that the decision is a good one as it would eliminate red tape and be more efficient. Joslin said that cen­ tralization for centrilization sake was not necessarily a good thing."Before doing it we'd have to take a good hard look. On the other hand four separate ministries gob­ bling up money isn't good either." Pensions While Steckle defended his MP's pension, he said the Liberals had reduced it by 20 per cent and ended double dipping. Schenk suggested the pension should be examined by outside sources to avoid conflict of interest, while Fines said its elimi­ nation would be a vital key in showing a committment to the rest of Canada. His suggestion that it be issues made comparable to the type of plans other Canadians have, prompted Steckle to say that he might agree once the "job became comparable to most Canadian jobs." Joslin called the present plan obscene. "I won't get a plan that juicy" when I retire from my pre­ sent job." He suggested a salary that would allow MPs to contribute to their own plan. Johnstone said the pension must be hard for many Canadians to take when there is so much unemployment. Closing remarks In his summation Steckle said, "I believe I have given the type of representation that said you can come to me. I have tried to be accessible, visible. I simply make one promise, to serve with honesty and integrity and represent your views when possible." Schenk said that in the last elec­ tion her party got a message sent to them "loud and clear. I'm offering a new plan, a focussed, frugal leader with a vision to lake us into the 21st century." "To go forward, we must go backward," said Joslin, adding that only CHP had this philosophical foundation to limit government intrusiveness and return to a perfect society. Johnstone urged for more NDP representation in the House of Commons. "When we're not there the Liberals don't keep their promises. It’s time to shake up Ottawa and wake up those Liber­ als." Fines said the next generations should not pay for our mistakes. "Liberals' top down control is not giving Canadians the Canada they want." OFA puts agriculture on agenda With fewer than two weeks to go in the federal election campaign, the Ontario Federation of Agricul­ ture is challenging the federal political parties to spell out their agricultural platforms and put farm and rural issues on the national agenda. "Canada's political leaders had better open the dialogue and consult with farmers if they hope to develop effective policies that will help guide the agriculture industry into the next century," says OFA President Tony Morris. In what is a very busy lime in Canadian politics and in the business of farming, the OFA Executive Committee took the opportunity to meet with PC leader Jean Charest at the OFA office in Toronto. Morris expressed farmers' concerns about the lack of attention federal leaders are paying to Canada's most important job and wealth creator - agriculture. Morris says the agriculture and agri-food sector is an exciting industry with tremendous growth potential, providing 640 thousand jobs, $5.3 billion in exports and $45 billion in economic activity in Ontario alone. He challenges federal politicians to use the remaining lime before the June 2 vole to clearly state where they stand on issues such as safety nets, cost-recovery, marketing boards, and trade. "Our county and district Continued on page 23