HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuron Expositor, 2007-10-03, Page 20Page 20 The Huron Expositor • October 3, 2007
News
CHSS students quiz candidates on the issues
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Five of the seven candidates for the
Huron -Bruce riding took front and cen-
tre in Central Huron Secondary
School's gymnasium Friday morning
for an all -candidates' debate moderat-
ed teenager -style.
Representatives on hand were the
Green Party's Victoria Serda, incum-
bent MPP Carol Mitchell (Liberal), the
New Democratic Party's Paul Klopp,
the Progressive Conservatives' Rob
Morley and independent Dennis
Valenta.
Family Coalition Party president
Lynne Scime was on hand to represent
candidate, Dave Joslin. Independent
Ron Stephens did not attend the event.
Following short presentations outlin-
ing their respective campaign plat-
forms, the candidates took to the mike
to field questions from high-school stu-
dents delivered via videotape. The
short tape revealed only a couple of the
students polled could identify either
the sitting MPP or candidates.
First up from the students' questions
was, "what can you do for Ontario that
the others can't?"
The FCP representative said her
From left, NDP candidate Paul Klopp, Liberal incumbent Carol Mitchell, PC candidate Rob Morley,
Green candidate Victoria Serda and independent Dennis Valenta answer questions at CHSS.
party is the only one dedicated to
restoring moral values in the province.
"There seems to be a vendetta on
Christians," she said.
Klopp said the NDP will fix the fund-
ing formula for education, decrease
fees associated with apprenticeships
and decrease post -secondary tuition
fees.
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Commencement at 7 p.m.
ExercisesEARLIER TIME NOTE NEW
Fnday, October 5
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Graduates, Award Winners and Presenters -
please arrive at the school no later than 6:30 p.m.
We've reserved a seat just for You!
The incumbent
said the Liberals
are focused on
working with all
sectors of society
to ensure the
province's econom-
ic engine remains
strong.
Morley said
the PC party is the
only one stepping
forward with a plan to publicly fund
faith -based schools.
Meanwhile, Serda noted the Green
Party is the only one with an environ-
ment -based platform.
Valenta said his candidacy will offer
voters a voice at Queen's Park since the
others have a party line to follow.
Candidates were also asked whether
they support the Mixed Member
Proportion (MMP) system, which is a
referendum question on the Oct. 10
ballot.
Mitchell said she is not a fan of MMP
because she is concerned its introduc-
tion will make the riding larger and
more difficult to manage.
The PC candidate also opposed MMP
because of the fact several of the MPPs
would be appointed, meaning they are
•
not accountable.
A fair deal for
today's working families
• health tax rebate
• real support for farmers
• increased support for seniors in
long term care
• immediate $10 minimum wage
• better home care support
• reduced tuition fees
• shorter hospital waits
• stronger environmental protection
• balanced budgets within current
government revenue
Ef Dalton McGuinty's Liberals
gave themselves a huge pay in-
crease, but they broke promise
after promise to Ontario families.
This election, vote for a party and
a candidate you can count on.
Howard
Hampton
Ora,nge
(JAIIOP
Paul
Klopp
WV. V4 paulklopp ca 1 -S66 -515-395c
paulklopp'n ontanondp com
The Green Party's can-
didate said she favours
MMP.
"It allows you to vote
with your head and your
hearts," said Serda of the
system that would give
voters a chance to hand in
two votes on provincial -
election day — one for
their preferred candidate
and one for their pre-
ferred political party.
The independent
opposed MMP
"You guys don't know
your MPP now - imagine
if the party picks the rep-
resentatives," says
Valenta.
The FCP representa-
tive favoured MMP since
it allows more voices to
have a say at Queen's Park.
The NDP candidate also supported
MMP.
"I think it's going to make every
party a lot more accountable to all of
you, and I think that's a good thing,"
said Klopp.
The fate of the environment was also
a subject of questions by the student
body.
Morley said the PCs promise to
reduce greenhouse gases by 50 per cent
below 1990 rates by the year 2020, and
60 per cent by 2050. Morley said his
party also plans to install scrubbers on
coal-fired generation plants, as well as
to create a waste -management strate-
The Green Party's platform includes
a plan to protect the boreal forest, raise
electrify rates so as not to subsidize
over consumption as well as a plan to
shift the tax burden to the province's
biggest polluters and off the individual
taxpayer's shoulders, said Serda.
The independent questioned the
validity of global -warming claims and
said a lot of disseminated information
is based on "dodgy science."
The FCP representative echoed
Valenta's comments, adding steward-
ship is important.
"The Green Party is opposing a lot of
things that will destroy our economy,"
she said.
The NDP candidate said it is impor-
tant for Ontarians to recycle and for
the government to extend producer -
responsibility laws. Klopp said his
party will also assist municipalities
with waste -reduction programs.
Mitchell pointed to the Liberal
Party's Clean Water Act as an example
of her government's commitment to the
environment. She noted her party is
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