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HomeMy WebLinkAboutGoderich Signal Star, 2011-08-17, Page 9nal -Star • Wednesday, August 17, 2011 the provincial elections just seven weeks away, the igning began in earnest across the province and in ing of Huron Bruce last week. le the wit calling for the dissolution of parliament be dropped until September 7, candidates in the off All Summer Items )96 off sale item if combined with a new arrival (1 for 1) ME EXCEPTIONS APPLY (INCL. PANDORA) SIXES:4 71.0thINC•ACI VSSOltif 57 Campbell Street Lucknow • 519-5284888 801 Queen Street, Kftardirve 5194964463 Mon. - Sat. 10 5:30 p.m., Sun. 12 - 5:30 Dn 1118 pm Thurs in Kincardine & Fri in Lucknow Huron Bruce riding have been active opening campaign offices and issuing opening statements in what promises to be one of the most contentious and hard-fought campaigns in recent memory. Liberal MPP, Carol Mitchell, the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Affairs in the Dalton McGuinty govern- ment, was first elected in 2003 and is seeking her third term in office. Mitchell's main political opponents are Conservative Party candidate Lisa Thompson, who is from the Teeswater area and was General Manager of the Ontario Dairy goat Cooperative. Grant Robertson, who ran as the NDP candidate in the May 2011 federal election will represent the New Demo crats in the October provincial elec don, his fourth time running. The Pais- ley area farmer finished second to MP Ben Lobb in the federal election. In the rural riding that covers a sub- stantial piece of geography in the prov- ince, agricultural policies and imple- mentation of the province's Green Energy Act, which has led to the estab- lishment of a number of industrial wind turbine projects in the region, will form the basis for debate and voter interest. Most recently Premier McGuinty has been touting the value of the number of jobs attached to the Green energy initiatives claiming that up to 20,000 sustainable jobs will be established in Ontario through its green energy initi- atives and projects. Conservative leader Tim Hudack has promised to rip up contracts put for- ward by the Liberals as part of their green energy strategy. Reeently the government revised its deal with Sam- sung moving up the timetable for job creation. A 300 -job wind turbine blade plant in Til)sonburg operated by Sie- mens Canada is among those promised. • In opening her central campaign office in Goderich Friday, Mitchell lauded the effort of her campaign team Ontario Minister Of Agriculture and Food, and Huron Bruce Liberal MPP, Carol Mitchell, opened her central campaign office in Goderich Friday evening and spoke to supporters about the upcoming seven -week campaign. she said. *There is a lot at stake and rural Ontario is a critical piece of the province of Ontario. The agriculture sector is now the largest economic sec- tor in the province, surpassing auto. Stand with me. This is your community and it's worth fighting for. I will work hard, burn up the roads and knock on doors." With wind energy opponents taking a strong stand in the riding, Mitchell suggests that people's perspective on the issue is changing. "People's perspectives are changing about wind energy and they realizeme have to get away from coal: she said. "Our options are nuclear power and solar and wind energy. And to put it into context, over 400 farmers have signed up for turbines." Public meetings featuring the elec- tion candidates will be announced. in the coming weeks. in the previous two elections but admonishing supporters at the same time that the election presents a formi- dable fight. "Our communities are strong but the conservatives want to take us back to what we had before with cutting and slashing of services," she told support- ers. "The NDP wants to destroy the big- gest the employer in the riding and rip the heart out o the conununity. "This election we will.set the course for Ontario, a province that is already leading Canada in the recovery. We have a strong leader In Dalton McGuinty who has a strong vision and I am proud to be part of the team." Acknowledging that the election campaign will be hard-fought battle, Mitchell called on a proven record of hard work and results as a basis for support. "I ask you stand with me and fight: A New Risk Management Program for Ontario Farmers Helping you protect your farm business from risks that are beyond your control - like fluctuating costs and market prices. Avadabiel for cattle, grains and oilseeds, hog, sheep, veal and trult and vegetable farmers. Check our websitoor app tion deadlines and tn few% mote about program eligibility. ve:x 'tvt' Paid for by the Government of Ontario