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Times-Advocate, 1985-04-24, Page 27Page 16A Times -Advocate, April 24, 1985 High Grade 12 and 13 students from South Huron Secondary School and Grade 7 and 8 Exeter Public School students had a chance to see the political process in action at an all - candidate's debate on Thursday. The three Huron -Middlesex can- didates, Bryan Smith t PC), Jack Rid- dell f Liberal), and Paul Klopp (NDP) each had a chance to make a short speech. Questions from the audience were then answered, with each can- didate having a chance to answer each question. Bryan Smith was the first speaker. He spoke about Enterprise Ontario, "the kind of program our province needs". Smith said the Conservatives have "the right prescription for mov- ing the economy into high gear". He said he wants to "clear the way for small business" and "support business expansion". Smith added that "only a strong economy will insure the increased revenue the government needs." Smith read from notes, and spoke briefly. Jack Riddell was the second speaker. The first topic he addressed was the Tory record on the environ- ment. "The government has known about the danger to our lakes from acid, rain for 20 years, and they haven't acted. By the year 2000, 40,000 ofouriattes-witttie-dead, if nothings done." Riddell also expressd con- cern about sewage and industrial waste leaking from landfill sites and contaminating lakes. "Over 80 beaches had to close last year," he pointed out. Riddell said the Liberals are prepared to take a stand on the environment. Riddell's next topic was jobs. "My colleague talked about Enterprise On- tario. We didn't hear anything about Enterprise Ontario until the election was called." Riddell condemned the government's performance on unemployment. "There are a half million people in Ontario out of work, and a third of them are between 15 and 24. This does not have to be," Rid - del said. Riddell condemned what he called the Tory failure to provide training in the educational system. Between 80.000 to 100,000 skilled labour people will be imported in the next two to three years, because our educational system didn't train our own people to• do these jobs." He spoke in favour of a co-op education program, to provide hands-on, training to student who want to leave school after grade 12. On health care, Riddell said, "On- tario loses $50 million a year in transfer payments because of opting - out by doctors. The Tories are going to ruin the best health care system in the world." Riddell spoke about the farm com- munity in this area, and their opposi- tion to the proposed hydro corridor. "They 'know. these corridors should not go through such good agricultural land." Riddell said the proper route was from Douglas Point to Essa, then on the the Golden Horseshoe, "which is where they say the power is need- ed anyway". Riddell spoke about "the plight of the agriculture industry, where pork producers only get 58 cents for their pork instead of the 70 cents they need to break even. Our farmers are sell- ing their equipment and renting their land, just trying to keep from selling out entirely." Riddell promised the Liberals would subsidize the existing farm debt down to eight per cent. Paul Klopp was the third speaker. he began by saying "who says parties can't agree?", indicating that he agreed with some of Riddell's statements. "The Conservatives shouldn't be in power," Klopp said. "Jobs should be our top priority," he added. "The Tories keep saying they care about jobs. We've seen unemploy- ment under the Tories go from 4.3 per cent in 1971. to six per cent, to almost school students see nine per cent. This is despite their BUILD program to create jobs..." Klopp went on to talk about educa- tion. "We're now in tenth place fin Ontario) in university funding. We us- ed to be in first place." Klopp criticiz- ed the Bovey report recommendation to increase tuition 50 per cent over the next four years. "There should be equal access to all qualified students. The NDP rejects higher tuition fees. We would freeze them, and ultimate- ly we would like it if we could manage to have no tuition fees." Klopp talk- ed about the "Work Futures Training Fund", an attempt to bring the various training systems into one, and provide better job training. "We want to provide job-related education pro- grams," Klopp said. Klopp returned to the subject of unemployment. "Our first commit- ment is to go for a two per cent reduc- tion in unemployment every year." Klopp said the NDP would do this by "making foreign companies buy materials from us; we've already done some of that in the auto. in- dustry." Klopp said the NDP would help business to replace foreign materials with homegrown ones. "We would also like to allow early retire- ment, for those who want it, to free up jobs for young people." Klopp said the NDP is in favour of getting overtime hours -reduced. "If -we -had -a -60 -hour work week, just think of how high unemployment would be," he say. Klopp concluded, "To fund pro- grams, you need people working. Once you learn skills, you want somewhere to use them. The NDP wants to make the decisions that put people first." Questions were then asked by the audience. Scott Baptist, a high school student, asked Riddell, "How would you guarantee jobs to those students who were in those co-op programs you mentioned?" Riddell said he didn't think it would be much of a problem, because "business is in favour of co-op educa- tion. The students would work for the businesses and get training as part of their education." Riddell said that 98 per cent of the students who are in co- op training either find work or go on to university when their training Is complete. Baptist wondered whether there would be a flood of co-op trained ap- plicants. Riddell said, "I don't think it will be a flood. This is designed for students who don't think they want to go on with their educations." Paul Klopp commented on employ- ment of new graduates. "We have to make sure the multinationals provide jobs in the countries where they sell. We should start housing programs to build more homes, using small com- panies." Klopp also mentioned the NDP work Futures Training Pro- gram as the answer to employing grads. Smith said he thinks co-op educa- tion works very well. He was vague about Conservative plans for im- plementing such programs. Tim Rowcliffe, another student, asked about the proposed hydro transformer line, and compensation for farmers if they go through. Riddell said he was in support of the farmers who are against the lines. He said he'd been interested in helping these farmers since 1982. Riddell said the compensation farmers have received in the past, about two thirds of the value of the land, was not worth it. Riddell also said the problem arose because "hydro has no watchdog. Hydro is a giant out of control. It has a greater deficit than the entire government of Ontario." Riddell said the patronage appointments of the Tories were terrible, and the chair- man of hydro is one such patronage appointment. Smith said, "We're still not sure where the lines are going. I con- gratulate the farmers for presenting theit case. I hope they present it in a Another first from Anstett's your diamond s >•eeialists since 1950 'DIAMOND DAYS' AT ANSTETT JEWELLERS Because we are direct importers of loose diamonds, we are introducing a selection of loose diamonds and mounts for the couple who want the unique opportunity of choice. CHOOSE YOUR DIAMOND -CHOOSE YOUR SETTING For faster service to you, our own factory Anstett Manufacturing Ltd.. will create your ring. COME IN -OUR JEWELLERY CONSULTANTS WILL HELP YOU CHOOSE THE DIAMOND THAT'S RIGHT FOR YOU. ANSTETT EWELLERS 8 Albert St CLINTON 281 Main St EXETER 26 Main St South SEAFORTH 135Oueen SI East ST MARYS 203DurhamSt E WALKERTON practical manner. I'll be gathering any information 1 can to assist them. " Klopp said the NDP realizes a lot of good farmland is being lost. "Definitely the NDP wouldn't allow this. The cabinet should be in on every hydro expansion. Then they couldn't say they didn't know." Klopp added. "I doubt the Tories will be so concern- ed when the election is over." He also criticized the Conservatives for not sending a representative to a meeting concerning the lines. Finally Klopp promised, "We beat them before with common sense and good ideas, and we'll beat them again." The final question was asked by South Huron math teacher, Peter Connon. He was concerned about the democracy decision to extend funding to separate schools. "In the States they took a hundred years to get rid of segrega- tion -- now we're introducing it." Klopp said the question of separate school funding has been handled im- properly, because it was never discussed in the legislature. "The NDP supports funding the Catholic schools, but we think it should end there." .Klopp also said the NDP would take steps to ensure no jobs were lost. Smith said "this was passed in parliament and all three parties agreed on it. I'm concerned that teachers not be let go. I would like to see that students not be disrupted." Riddell said he would have to con - in action tradict his colleague, Bryan Smith, because the move was not made in the Legislature. "Bill Davis hadn't Oen discussed it with members of his dwq party. Betty Stephenson's jaw drfped that far when he announced .11." Riddell continued, "The Tories made a political mess out of the Liberals when they were in favour of full funding in the last election. Now they're in favour of it." Riddell went on to more general criticism of the Tory education policies. "The level of provincial funding for education under the Tories went from 60 per cent to 47 per cent. The rest is paid by the municipalities. Riddell said the Liberals would like to see a select committee on VOTERS AND VOTERS -TO -BE — This crowd of Exeter Secondary School students were listening to a political debate by all three Huron -Middlesex candidates. The students had a chance to ask questions after the candidates had made short speeches. education. There was no time for further questions. .1 BUYING AN ANNUITY? 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