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Home My WebLink AboutLakeshore Advance, 2011-09-28, Page 10a Lakef3lidreAit6ftce' •' ' Lots of growing support for NDP Susan Hundertmark QMI Agency As he travels to the corners of the Huron -Bruce riding, NDP candidate Grant Robert- son is hearing the message that it'll be a tight three-way race between the NDP, Liber- als and Conservatives to decide the next local MPP on Oct. 6. "There's a lot of growing support for the NDP in this riding," he says. "It's OK to be NDP in Huron -Bruce - peo- ple are now looking at the party in a different way." Coming off the best showing ever for the Huron - Bruce NDP in the May federal election with 25 per cent of the vote, Robertson credits fed- eral NDP leader Jack Layton, whose recent death Rob- ertson is honouring by using his federal election signs bearing Layton's name, with the widespread understand- ing of the values espoused by Grant Robertson the NDP. "1 don't know if that will determine any votes in the provincial election but people know we're a party of practi- cal solutions that will accom- plish something for every- one," he says, adding that a phone call he received from Layton after the federal elec- tion asking Robertson to "keep up the fight" is one of the big reasons he decided to run in the provincial election. 1 want to fight for his val- ues that love, hope and opti- mism has a place in politics," he says. Robertson says he's hearing that voters are fed up with the political mud -slinging that is occurring at the local level during the current election campaign, with some party supporters interrupting all - candidates meetings and attacks and smears on local candidates. "it's sad to see that these political games have devolved to the local level. I'm really proud to be on Andrea 1 lor- wath's team because she's stuck to the issues with a modest, practical platform," he says. Robertson says he's hear- ing from voters that affordability is a big issue in this election, with 60 per cent of Ontario residents living from pay cheque to pay cheque. "People are hurting and worried about the future. They like our plan of taking the HST off of hydro, home heating and gasoline bills - it all boils down to affordability. I've been talking to seniors on fixed incomes who worry that they won't be able to pay their bills," he says. 'that's why job creation and "growing and maintaining quality jobs locally" is one of Robertson's priorities and a plank of the NDP platform with the promise of a $5,000 tax credit for each job create( -) in Ontario and a $3,500 tax credit for job training. "This applies across the board, whether you're a larger company like Wescast or Bruce Power or a local con- venience store - any new hires apply," he says. Robertson says the NI)P also wants to get energy prices under control, pointing to a local plant that is paying $40,000 a week in energy costs. CONTINUED > PAGE 11 Thompson ready to take the wheel in Huron -Bruce QMI Agency Thompson, a Teeswater resident, is tossing her hat into the electoral ring for the Progressive Conservative Party. And, says the East Wawanosh native and long- term agriculture booster, the time has come for change. Thompson says her No. 1 goal, as a representative for Huron -Bruce is to "bring autonomy and a voice to rural Ontario." A large part of addressing that issue, says Thompson, involves addressing the short- comings of the controversial Green Energy Act, particu- 1 1 111 1 11 1 1 1 1 11 1 1 larly where it conies to Indus- trial Wind Turbines. Thompson says the GFA has "stripped away local deci- sion-mak- ing pow- ers" and divided rural communi- ties. "'That has to change," she says, noting the PC plat- form contains a pledge to put a moratorium in on all indus- trial wind development until a comprehensive epidemio- Lisa Thompson HAY'S AUTOMOBILE RECONDITIONING OPEN MONDAY - SATURDAY DRIPLESS OIL UNDERCOATING HERE ARE THE FACTS: • No Drip (Environmentally Friendly) • Can be applied In any weather condition • Outstanding penetration & creepability • Displaces moisture • Excellent adhesion • Self -healing from road, stone & sand abrasion • Harmless to plastic & electric circuitry 1 1 111 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 MAKE AN APPOINTMENT NOW!' "Pr toctIon that Wen MON' mob man and peaty of mind„ $5.00 OFF WHEN PRESENTING THIS COUPON b. — 4E COUPON EXPIRES 31/12/11 1 logical study is conducted. "There are real health issues and concerns. We need to slow down here:” The Tories are also pledg- ing to turn wind turbine sit- ing power back over to the lower tiers. 1iealthcare is another top priority, says Thompson. "There has been a lot of promises made recently," says Thompson of the Liberal party. "These are not new projects." Thompson says her party is the only one that is pledging to deal with the high cost of living. "it doesn't matter what door we are knocking on in Tiverton or Zurich, people are finding their pocketbook stressed. 'They need a break." One step in that direction, says Thompson, is to remove the I IST charge off of necessi- ties like home heating bills. Another plan is to scrap the utility company's "debt recov- ery charge." Further, says 'Thompson, the Tories' plan to reduce personal income tax rates by five per cent and reintroduce income sharing for single parents and senior citizens. Another promise, says Thompson, is to remove the eco tax off of items like batteries. While eyeing Liberal incumbent Carol Mitchell's track record in office, This is Adopt a Cat Month! �Ii mItgtltNtItH ROYALLEPAGE TRIL�IDI REA NEA► I TAn MOReaAQ/ Ask Marje about Pets and Real Estate at 98 ONTARIO ST. S in Grand Bend (next to House of Flags. Scan & No Frills) Marje Crowe* is helping London Animal Care Centre lind loving homes for Kittens and Cats. Adoption Fees will he waived in September with a donation (item or eash) to the Goderich SPCA 7brnado relief. Please call Marje for more information or go online to London Animal Care C'entre's website at hagaLiminatiscpetua. Helping You is What I Do! 37 Years of Caring Experience! If you're buying or selling your home or cottage, please call Marjc Crowe* at 519-661-0310 ... and don't forget to spay or neuter your pets. Thompson says one of the policies her government takes credit for, Risk Manage- ment, is something the Tories have been backing all along. Thompson says there is evi- dence of that in that the Pro- gressive Conservatives tried to introduce RMP in 2010, only to have it rejected by the Liberals. Thompson says while "pocketbook" issues are uni- versal across the riding, there are certain segments, like Walkerton, where specific Liberal party plans are ring- ing alarm bells. "At the first debate in Walk- erton, the primary issue was the closure of the Walkerton jail," says Thompson, noting her party is pledging to keep operations at the status quo until all the pertinent finan- cial information is reviewed. "Economic drivers are needed in rural communi- ties," says Thompson, who says rural school closures are another area of concern and education is an area slated for Tory investment of an addi- tional $2.5 billion. As for the aftermath of a 1,3 tornado that touched down in Goderich on Aug. 21, Thompson gives kudos to the federal arm of her party for standing back and asking the community where the needs are rather than "riding in like a white knight" like the pro- vincial Liberal party did with a $5 million cheque. "I think that was responsi- ble," she says of the federal Tories, noting she was ready to set up a campaign office at The Square but instead gave it up for other businesses to use following the storm. While Thompson says she is confident in Goderich's renewal given the communi- ty's "spirit is awesome." Asked whether the ghosts of Mike 1larris's ultimately unpopular Progressive Con- servative government are hiding in voters' closet Thompson says she has turr- heard any I larris-related crit- icism on the campaign trail. 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