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The Goderich Signal-Star, 1984-08-29, Page 4NEWS FEATURE GODERICH SIGNAL -STAR, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 29,1989 PAGE,3 Incumbent Murray Cardiff works harder the second time around BY STEPHANIE LEVESQUE It's Murray Cardiff's second election campaign and according to campaign manager, Ken Campbell, the incumbent is working harder the second time around. The 50 -year-old Grey Township farmer was first elected to the House of Commons in 1980 as member of parliament for the Huron -Bruce riding. Prior to his 1980 success, Mr. Cardiff was chairman of the White Bean Producers Marketing Board. In that capacity, he par- ticipated in two missions to the United Kingdom. As Huron -Bruce MP, Mr. Cardiff has served on the standing corrirnittee on agriculture and finance as well as a task force investigating the possibility of a na- tional trading corporation which involved hearings across Canada, Europe and the U.S. In the Conservative Opposition, the rookie MP served akdeputy agriculture critic. He and his wife Betty have three children, Jeffrey, Joan and Scott. ISSUES The ever-growing federal deficit has to be curtailed and Mr. Cardiff, following his party's policy, says responsible spending is the key to a better economic picture for the country. The MP said government spending has to be looked at as an investment with returns. A larger tax base is needed across the country, said Mr. Cardiff noting there has been no incentive from the federal govern- ment for expansion in the small business sector. He said expanded small businesses would help spread the tax base around. McDonald is no stranger to politics BY STEPHANIE LEVESQUE Elected at the largest federal nomination meeting in Huron -Bruce, 30 -year-old Liberal candidate Bruce McDonald is no stranger to politics. His biography includes the note that his great -great grandfather was the first Reeve of Grey Township. "I come from a family well-known locally, both for its farming activities and .for its heavy involvement and commitment to com nunity and civic affairs." His father, Donald McDonald, is a trustee and past chairman of the Huron County Board of Education. Legally separated for two years with no children, Mr. McDonald is a partner in the firm of Craig, McDonald, Reddon Insurance Brokers Ltd. He has been committed to the Liberal party for 12 years, and when commenting on the issues, while speaking off the cuff, he follows party policy. Mr. McDonald is past president of the Huron -Bruce Liberal Association and in 1979 and 1980 elections, he acted as campaign chairman for then candidate Graeme Craig: Although Mr. McDonald secured the Liberal nomination from Heather Reddick of RR 2, Zurich, there is no discord in the local party association, said the candidate. "Heather and I are good friends," he said noting she is helping with the campaign advertising. Mr. McDonald said he is determined to win the election, however noting it isn't easy to unseat an incumbent. To win, Mr. McDonald will have to defeat incumbent MP Murray Cardiff. "Nothing worth achieving is easy," said Mr. McDonald. ISSUES The Liberal candidate responded to several questions under three basic topics - economy, women's issues and farming. On the economy, Mr. McDonald says there is "no question" that the national debt cannot continue to grow. "The deficit has to be reduced, but we can't forget the social system," said the 30 - year -old reiterating comments about a "safety netted society", a phrase used by Liberal Prime MinisterJohn Turner. Mr. McDonald emphasized that the "biggest challenge" facing society is the balancing of the needs of society with the ability of the economy to pay for those needs. As for changing the deficit picture, Mr. McDonald said his leader, Mr. Turner, inspires confidence in investors. He doesn't expect anything dramatic to change the deficit picture though. On job creation, the Liberal candidate pointed to Mr. Turner's newly -announced First Chance program. • Although he knew only what he had read in newspapers, Mr. McDonald praised the concept that is geared to enabling young people to get experience on their resumes. Apprenticeship programs would also be beneficial for youth said Mr. McDonald noting the federal government partially funds post secondary education. He said the education system has to come together to provide what business and industries want. The Liberal candidate supports the idea of equal pay for work of equal value for women. He said that as long as women are competent for specific jobs, they should be able to fulfill them and expect the same pay as a man. The problem, he said, is that people's attitudes can't be changed overnight. He said the government should provide the lead in equal pay for work of equal value. On the question of non -working women contributing to the Canada Pension Plan, Mr. McDonald said it would have to be instituted properly. He added that such an addition to the CPP would have to be proper- ly funded "I don t believe any government can offer carte blanche," said Mr. McDonald reiterating the statement on balancing society's needs with society's ability to pay. Bruce McDonald Ca legislating restricting pornographic material, Mr. McDonald said he supports the concept in principle, while acknowledging that the definition of pornography is different for each individual. He said Liberals generally believe in the freedom of individuals but that freedom, he noted, can be abused. Abortions should not tie allowed on demand, said Mr. McDonald in response to a question on the subject. He said abortions should not be treated as birth control. . The candidate d. sn't favor any loosening of the laws on the s bject and suggests that the current laws be enforced more stringently. Raised on a beef, ho . nd cash crop farm, Mr. McDonald recogn • ed the problems facing the farm communit "There is no question that •ere has to be made available better long and short-term financing in agriculture," he said. Mr. McDonald said he supports the concept of agribonds in principle. He noted that federal agriculture minister Ralph Ferguson is looking into the concept. As for voluntary tri -partite stabilization, Mr. McDonald said if it's what the majority of producers want then it should be set up. When questioned on financial institutions dealing with farmers in financial difficulty, Mr. McDonald suggested each case has to be treated individually. Admitting that in some cases farmers were encouraged by financial institutions to get bigger thus having to borrow money, Mr. McDonald said it isn't fair that at the first sign of trouble the financial institutions close in. However, he added that he grew up learning that if a dollar is borrowed it is supposed to be paid back. In genetal, Mr. McDonald said he is committing himself 100 per cent to be an MP. He speaks about being accountable to the people of Huron -Bruce and said if elected he would have open meetings with constituents on a regular basis. Speaking on the national election campaign, particularly the patronage appointments, Mr, McDonald said the appointments aren't the result of new jobs. He added that the people appointed were orginally elected by their constituents. The Liberal candidate pointed a finger at the Ontario Tories. "Mr. Davis has it I patronage appointments) down to a fine rt," he said. Although a young candidate, he sees his age as a strength because of the energy and ability he could bring to the MP position. "It's nota 40 hour a week job," he said. Dealer asked to meet with committee on land purchase The owner of a car dealership has been asked to attend the next meeting of the economic development committee to discuss the purchase of a parcel of property. Ed Ilagle, owner of Goderich Plymouth- ('hrysler on Huron Road, had made a request to purchase .2 acres of land on Suncoast Drive, adjacent to his property for $1250. That request was turned down by the committee which expressed concern on the .,zoning of the property and that rezoning could place the municipality in violation of the Planning Act. The „ ..copi mittee...gwested ,the, town,_shouel (Iron up and maintain the land and recommended to council that the land not be sold to HIgle. However, councillor Bill ('lifford told council that it should at least consider the offer for the unkept land. "The offer is not an insult. Why not put a price on it and sell it'" he asked council. • He employs people and pays taxes. Why not invite him to the next meeting to discuss the Matter." A motion introduced by councillor Jim Searls to table the mattei until Hagle has met with the econoni c development committee to discuss the matter was Murray Cardiff Carrying on the thought pf incentives for small business to improve the national economy, Mr. Cardiff said more jobs for Canadians can come through the small business sector. The government's role in ""-job creation should be one of providing tax incentives to small businesses for providing new jobs, said Mr. Cardiff. He also said that Canadian trade markets have to be opened to improve the economy. Mr. Cardiff was part of a trade mission to ASEAN countries in 1983. "We have to be there and develop . markets," said Mr. Cardiff. The government, a Conservative govern- ment said Mr. Cardiff, would assist businesses with research and development particularily with foreign markets. This idea, said the MP, supports his earlier com- ments on responsible spending which he defines as receiving a return on investment. In this case, the returns are jobs and ex- panded markets. The Conservative candidate . supports equal pay for work of equal value and said he hopes that cases of employees being paid less than other employees based on their sex is happening less and less. Mr. Cardiff said he also believes in merit increases and wouldn't want the merit in- creases to be eliminated if employers would be limited to equal pay for work of equal, value. The concept of non -working women con- tributing to the Canada Pension Plans is one supported by the Conservative candidate. It has to be worked out with the provinces, particularly ..Quebec as it has its own pen- sion plan, said Mr. Cardiff. a He doesn't support the sale of por- nographic material but countered that com- ment with the note that some people will say they ,have the right to watch or read whatever they want in the privacy of their home. The MP points to the stand he took against Playboy scheduling on Pay TV. He said he had received numerous letters from con- stituents on the subject so he took a stand opposing the programing. Mr. Cardiff supports the current laws on abortion and says they should be adhered to. He acknowledges that there is a need for better education of birth control. Mr. Car- diff feels there has been a "flagrant abuse of abortions, maybe not in this area but in larger urban centres". Mr. Cardiff does support the Agri -Bond concept as one way to finance the agriculture sector. On farm financing, the Huron -Bruce MP said the Farm Credit Cor- poration (FCC) has to be turned around. He notes that the FCC used to provide about 70 per cent of capital funding for farmers and now that figure is at less than 35 per cent. Mr. Cardiff supports tri -partite stabiliza- tion as a volunteer program believing it is important that the federal and provincial government as well as the producer con- tribute equally to such a program. He again emphasized the need for developing foreign export markets to give a shot in the arm to the farming economy. Recognizing the fact that some farmers have faced financial difficulty, some to the point of bankruptcy, Mr. Cardiff feels thenue are ways to assist the financially strapped'" farmer. He would like to see a financial review board set up to assist farmers facing fipan- cial difficulty before they go into receiver- ship. Third party involvement, to come between the farmer and a financial in- stitution if there is difficulty, would be a step in the right direction. The third party could open up communications between the farmer and financial institutions. "Farmers are hard workers and they will pay their debts if given a chance," said Mr, Cardiff admitting he has acted as a third party for constituents. Mr. Cardiff pushed party platform noting that Revenue Canada has to be revised to become more responsible to the public. "It has to get back to the rule that people are innocent until proven guilty;" said M. Cardiff. As MP, Mr. Cardiff found himself involv- ed in hundreds of projects from getting grants for community centres to his involve- ment with research on world trade. QIECK&YLE. PIECK&YLE.. DECK RICK STYLE... STYLE _QIECKSPYLE.STYLE... PIECK :Pxrm, cv.a�..ssama+aa,wu• •y,�ry'aurar: