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HomeMy WebLinkAboutClinton News Record, 2015-03-04, Page 3Liberals draw battle lines in Huron -Bruce as former PM Paul Martin visits Goderich Dave Flaherty QMI Agency While there is another eight months before Cana- dians will choose their next government, the atmosphere of the impending federal elec- tion was prevalent in Goderich on Wednesday night. Huron -Bruce federal Liberal candidate Allan Thompson held an event at the Goderich Legion with former Prime Minis- ter Paul Martin as his spe- cial guest. Martin had joined Thompson on the cam- paign trail earlier in the day with stops in Kincar- dine and Port Elgin. As he introduced Mar- tin, Thompson called him the "best Prime Minister Canada never had", stating that his time as the leader of the Liberal Party was much too short. Thompson, a former journalist who has worked as a Parliamentary corre- spondent for the Toronto Star, said Martin was a Prime Minister with understanding and com- passion, something he believes that has been lost under current Prime Min- ister Stephen Harper's Conservative government. He went as far to call the current administration the "worst in decades': Thompson also praised former Huron -Bruce Lib- eral MP Paul Steckle who was in attendance. He doesn't agree with the belief that Huron - Bruce is a "naturally Con- servative" riding, noting that as a Liberal, Steckle was the most successful MP in the history of the riding in terms of voter support. Martin also didn't mince words when speak- ing on the current government. He said the Conserva- tives inherited a $13 bil- lion surplus and has added $150 billion to the deficit. He alleged they had not released any economic update to Parliament or a Parliamentary committee in the past eight years, something he called an "incredible national disgrace." Martin said the modern economy is based heavily upon "discovery research': He claimed the Con- servatives are not only refusing to invest in "dis- covery research" but have fired 2,000 government scientists as well. The former prime min- ister said the Harper gov- ernment has attempted to quash discussion and debate in the Parliament. He said MPs do not speak only for their party but for the people they represent. Speaking on Bill C-51, Canada's new proposed anti -terrorism legislation, Martin acknowledged it is needed but said there also should be an independent body to oversee it. "Parliament wants to debate the issue. What did the government say? 'We don't need a lot of useless red tape.' The Parliament is not useless red tape, the Parliament is the Cana- dian people speaking," Martin said. Martin accused the cur- rent government of having "arrogance" that the Cana- dian public is not going to put up with. Speaking on his past relationship with Thomp- son, Martin said there are journalists who are "just there to fill a spot" and those who have a true understanding of the issues they are reporting on. He said Thompson was the true representation of the latter example and he believes he would be the type of politician that would be open to discus- sion and transparency. "He is ready. I'm very confident he will win and be a very good MP," Martin said. Martin and Thompson opened up the floor for questions and spoke on a number of topics. Climate change Thompson said Canada needs a prime minister "that believes in climate change" and the younger generations should be engaged as it is an issue that will affect them significantly. Martin said the prov- inces have shown more initiative in fighting cli- mate change than the fed- eral government. He alluded to Alberta's recent announcement that it would be investing more into renewable energy sources. "When the Premier of Alberta shows a more intelligent stance on cli- mate change than the Prime Minister it shows you how far we've gone," he said. Wednesday, March 4, 2015 • News Record 3 Dave Flaherty QMI Agency Huron -Bruce federal Liberal candidate Allan Thompson stands with former Prime Minister Paul Martin during an event held at the Goderich Legion on Wednesday evening. Martin had joined Thompson earlier in the day during campaign stops in Kincardine and Port Elgin. Canada's relationship with the United Nations Martin said the Harper government has aban- doned Canadian tradi- tions in relations to the United Nations and thus caused a negative affect on the world's view of the country. "It's appalling," he said. The growing gap between Canada's rich and poor Martin said Canada's tax system is a "mess" but that taxes don't have to be raised for the redistribu- tion of wealth. How to engage the younger generation Martin said they need to be "challenged" to become interested in the future of their country. SENIOR DISCOUNT 10% STUDENTS 512.50 DAPPER! Ilaircuts PROFESSIONAL HAIR STYLES WALK-IN CONVENIENCE, AFFORDABLE PRICES No APPOINTMENT NEEDED Main St. Clinton 519 -606 -HAIR (4247) "I'd ask them, 'tell me what matters to you.' I don't think we know what young people care about because we don't ask," he said. Thompson said he hopes to engage youth by estab- lishing a local Young Liber- als Chapter. However, he said he believes the Conservatives have done "a lot to disen- gage an entire generation of Canadians': Justin Trudeau's qualifications to be the leader of Canada Thompson described Trudeau as "bright, hopeful and optimistic." "Given what we've expe- rienced in the last 10 years, I think those character traits are very important," he said. Martin said because Trudeau grew up in the public eye, it might be dif- ficult for some people to relate to him as a "success- ful middle-aged man': Thompson said Trudeau has revitalized the Liberal Party and doesn't "try to command the 'party of one": PA N SHAM 1X E F] L.'R C]N "LEARNING G Ir 7 Nor NEW ACCELERATED CAREER CERTIFICATE IN Office Administration Join us for an information & registration session On Tuesday, March 10 from 4:00-6:OOpm The Centre for Employment & Learning 41 West Street, Goderich For more information contact Jennifer at 519-524-4154 or info@lakehuronlearning.ca Heather at 519-606-1484 or hmackenzie-card@fanshawec.ca