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HomeMy WebLinkAboutClinton News Record, 2015-08-12, Page 22 News Record • Wednesday, August 12, 2015 Huron -Bruce candidates ready for Canada's historic election Steve Goetz Postmedia Network With a visit to the Gover- nor General by the prime minister, the federal elec- tion is now underway. Canadians across the country will cast ballots Oct. 19 to elect the 42nd Parliament of Canada after what will be the longest election period in modern times. At the outset of the cam- paign, polls show two- thirds of voters want a change of government, but Stephen Harper's Conserv- atives may once again ben- efit from a split vote on the left as Thomas Mulcair attracts historically high support to the NDP, while Justin Trudeau's Liberals remain competitive. With polls showing all three par- ties with about 30 per cent support, this is shaping up to be the first true three- way race in Canadian history. The early election call and new rules set out in the Fair Elections Act passed last year are to the Con- servatives' advantage: with more money in the bank, the party is best positioned to make use of higher spending limits that kick in for each day the campaign runs over 36 days; and with third -party advertising banned during the official campaign period, some of the party's well -funded critics -- including Unifor, Canada's largest union -- are effectively sidelined. To the opposition par- ties' advantage, recent economic news -- that Canada's economy may be in recession and a prom- ised balanced budget now in question -- undercuts the Conservatives' claims of sound economic management. In Huron -Bruce, Con- servative Ben Lobb is seek- ing re-election against three newcomers: Allan Thompson of the Liberals, Gerard Creces of the NDP, and Jutta Splettstoesser of the Green Party. Though many may not be ready to put aside summer attractions for political dis- tractions, The Kincardine News reached out to the Huron -Bruce candidates from the four major parties to ask a few questions to introduce themselves at the start of what promises to be a long and hard-fought campaign. Ben Lobb, candidate for the Conservative Party of Canada What will be your core message to voters in Huron -Bruce? We will deliver a positive message during this elec- tion highlighting our gov- ernments past achieve- ments and visions for the future. Our Government has managed through tough economic times, bal- anced the budget, cut taxes for all Canadians and deliv- ered a more efficient government. Why is Stephen Harper the best leader for Canada? Over the last 10 years, Prime Minister Stephen Harper has demonstrated that he is a sound eco- nomic manager, he has delivered on all his prom- ises from the last election, he is a respected world leader and the only leader in this election that has a true vision for Canada's future. Are the Conservatives in Huron -Bruce ready to fight an extra long campaign? At this point, we have been election ready for over a year. This is our fourth campaign in 10 years. Our team is in place, COMING SOON HOMETOWN HARVEST Featuring everything Agriculture and our Rural Roots. Advertisers To be a part of this upcoming special feature, contact your local Sun Media Sales Representative. Booking Deadline • 2p.m. August 25. our office is set up and operating and were fully financed to run a long cam- paign. We are ready to go whenever the writ is dropped. Who do people contact if they want to volunteer with the Cons? They can contact the Goderich campaign office at 321 Suncoast Drive East, call 519-612-5622 or send an e-mail to: benlobbcpc@ hurontel.on.ca Allan Thompson, candidate for the Liberal Party of Canada What will be your core message to voters in Huron -Bruce? My core message is that it is time for a change and that I am the candidate best positioned to defeat Ste- phen Harper in Huron - Bruce. I will be talking to voters about my hope to restore integrity to politics after a decade of cynicism and secrecy, about making fairness the cornerstone of all policy-making and the importance of our MP pro- viding a strong, rural voice in Ottawa. Why is Justin Trudeau the best leader for Canada? I think Justin Trudeau has demonstrated his abil- ity to build a remarkable team of candidates and to lead a political movement that has put forward the most comprehensive and thoughtful policy platform out there. I think he has also made clear that despite months of negative, American-style attack ads aimed at him personally, he is the kind of leader who is going to stick to the high road and put forward a pos- itive, optimistic vision for the country. He is the rea- son I got into politics. Are the Liberals in Huron - Bruce ready to fight an extra long campaign? Stephen Harper will have to explain to Canadians how he justifies calling the longest election campaign in modern history, a move that could double or even triple the cost to taxpayers of running an election. But regardless, the Liberal party in Huron -Bruce is ready to hit the ground and bring our message that it is time for real change in this rid- ing and across Canada. I've been travelling to every corner of the riding for close to a year now, listen- ing, talking to voters and building a campaign team, so we're ready to go. Who do people contact if they want to volunteer with the Liberals? Those who use comput- ers can visit my website at www. allanthompson. ca and click the Get Involved tab. But people can also call our volunteer centres toll free at 1-844-396-7880. And of course, they're welcome to drop in in person at 969 Queen St. in downtown Kincardine (near Tim Nor- ton's) or at 43 West St. in Goderich, just off the square. Gerard Creces, candidate for the New Democratic Party of Canada What will be your core message to voters in Huron -Bruce? My personal message from day one has been: Let's take the power back. Never before has a gov- ernment abused its power and privilege as much as the Harper government - so much so that even people who voted Conservative in 2011 have been shut out and ignored. We as an elec- torate can't keep giving power to people who use it solely for their own benefit - in the house, in the sen- ate, in corporate welfare. That's why we're ready for change. Real power comes from communities, not back room dealings. Why is Thomas Mulcair the best leader for Canada? Put simply, he's an honest man who has left his ego at the door. His main policies are all people -centric as opposed to hyper -partisan - better Long Term Care for seniors, $15 -a -day childcare, increasing the federal mini- mum wage. These policies won't make the one per -cent much money, but they will increase the health and well- being of Canadians and a confident, healthy popula- tion is the single greatest tool to kickstart the economy that Harper has run into the red again. CONTINUED > PAGE 3 ATTENTION ADVERTISERS! DEADLINES Our Weekly Deadlines are as follows: ADVERTISING & EDITORIAL Friday @ 2:00 pm Views Record 53 Albert St. S, Clinton PH: 519-482-3443 www.clintonnewsrecord.com OFFICE HOURS: Mon. - Fri. 9am - 5pm CLOSED TUESDAYS