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The Wingham Advance-Times, 1985-04-24, Page 6Election '85 campaign coverage E.. Huron -Bruce candidat( As part of its coverage of the campaign leading up to the May 2 provincial general election, The Advance -Times brings you the following look at where the candidates representing the three political parties in the Huron -Bruce riding stand on a number of election issues. - Each candidate was. sent -a - questionnaire with - nine questions about issues which have surfaced here and else- where during the campaign and was given an opportunity to respond in his or her own words to a maximum of three typed pages. Each was also asked for a recent photograph. What follows is whit each had to y. In each case the question is, printed first, in bold type, followed by the responses, in alphabetical order, of Murray Elston, the in- cumbent MPP representing the Liberal Party, Norma Peterson, candidate for the New Democratic Party, and Mike Snobelen, representing the Progressive Conservative Party. 1. What is your position on government funding of social services such as day care and health care, and on extra - billing by doctors? Murray Elston: As a candidate in a rural riding, I know that we must do all we can to provide quality health care facilities. With a population whose average age is rising, steps have to be taken to prevent the rising deficits that face our hospitals. This year alone it is projected by the Ontario Hospital Association that the combined hospital deficits for Ontario will be $22 million, without considering possible wage settlements which could escalate the deficit to $78 million. MURRA Y ELSTON Liberal Party KEEP YOUR MONEY! Of course you want to keep more of the money you work hard for. And you could—if you let H &R Block prepare your tax return. As a matter of fact, in a recent survey, 2 out of 3 H& R Block customers who got refunds believed they got bigger refunds than if they did their own taxes. H&R Block helps you get every possible deduction, exemption and credit you're entitled to. Call your near- est H & R Block office today. We could help you keep more of your hard-earned money. It pays to be prepared by NSR BLOCK THE INCOME TAX S ECIALISTS i 573 Campbell St., 328 Josephine St: LUCKNOW. Phone WINGHAM. Phone 528-2338 357.3006 Open 9-6 Wed. -Fri. Open 9 a.m -6 p.m. Weekdays 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturdays Appointments Available This projection was made after the Ontario government announced its transfers for this year. An Ontario Liberal government would remedy this to maintain quality service in rural areas. One method of funding this cost would be to end extra - billing by- doctors. -This practice currently costs Ontario $50 million per year as a result of lost federal transfers:' With respect to day care, David Peterson has .already committed our party to the creation of 10,000 new day care spaces to allow parents who work the opportunity of access to day care facilities. This program will also provide the assistance requested in the Molly McGhee report on rural Ontario needs. Norma Peterson: Child care should"be flexible, affordable and accessible. New Democrats would increase funding to ensure a full range and mix of services. This would include day care centres in our communities, schools and community centres as well as part-time and in-home care. New Democrats worked long and hard for the creation of our public health care syatem. We believe that quality health care and nursing home care should be fully funded and available to those who need care — not on the basis of per- sonal wealth. We oppose extra -billing by doctors. Mike Snobelen: I feel that there should be more day care. Extra billing is not causing a lack of medical care; doctors are providing services without extra compensation where money is a problem. 2. Do you support the proposal to extend public funding to Roman Catholic Schools? Should such funding be extended to all private schools meeting basic scholastic standards? Elston: I support the full funding of separate schools. I believe, however, that the refusal of the Ontario government to release the report made by its commission on the subject has needlessly clouded the discussion of the proposal. In addition it is unacceptable that the government will not release the draft legislation which has been prepared. With respect to other private schools, I am awaiting the report of the Shapiro commission on, that subject and cannot commit myself to the funding of other private schools. Steps should be' taken, however, to ensure that services such as school bus transportation are shared where possible so that services are not needlessly duplicated. Peterson: New Democrats have supported the principle of extending full funding to publicly -supported separate schools since 1970. We reaffirmed this at our 1984 convention. In our resolution we called for the" fullest possible sharing of facilities and services among both school systems. We op- pose any extension of public funds to private schools. I am concerned that Mr. Davis made his announcement without prior consultation or careful consideration of the steps required to implement full funding in a manner that will not disrupt our educational system. Snobelen: I support the proposal to extend public funding to Roman Catholic schools if it is required under the BNA and Canadian Constitution. Funding should be extended to all private schools only , ;- under very special circumstances. i WARD & UPTIGROV.E Listowel (519) 291-3040 CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS 6385-3N Group health and dental programs for qualified employee groups from three to as many as you've got! Ask your insurance agent, consultant, or me. For details contact: Brian Dalton 371 Dufferin Avenue London, Ontario N6B1Z5 f (519)439-0136 ONTARIO BLUE. CROSS THE 1.' EAL S�LUtIQ.N THAT COMES WITH A LIFETIME GUARANTEE '11 61 J r NEW RAD CAP INCLUDED GOLD SEAL PREMIUM HIGH DENSITY CORE FOR A HEAVY DUTY RAD AT STANDARD RAD COST SEAMLESS CORE CONSTRUCTION SIZES AVAILABLE TO FIT ANY CAR BUILT BETTER THAN. COMPETING CORES AT COMPETITIVE PRICES PLUS A LIFETIME GUARANTEE (to the original owner) OR WE REPLACE IT AT NO CHARGE Now available at better garages, service stations or directly from 469 JOSEPHINE ST. WINGHAM 357-3830 tw The Wingham Advance -Times, Apr. 24, 1985—Page 5 outline positions 3. How do you feel about the proposal to sell wine and beer in grocery stores? Elston: The sale of beer and wine in the independent stores should be allowed The sale,, however, would be regulated and premises licensed to handle the sales. Sales to minors would not be allowed. Peterson: I am not particularly comfortable with it. I am concerned that such easy availability might increase problems with alcohol abuse. I believe this proposal should be carefully examined for its full implications, particularly with regard to under -age employees in grocery stores. It is not a priority with the NDP. Snobelen: I am opposed because alcohol is a hard thing to control. 4. What steps should be taken to stimulate the job market in an effort to provide employment for workers of all ages? Elston: In this area the immediate stabilizing of the agricultural economy would go a long way toward providing more jobs. That is a priority with Ontario Liberals and we have outlined, an eight per cent interest program on long- term debt which will allow farmers to plan for the future. Since agriculture generates five to six jobs for each primary agricultural position this program will help to create many more positions. In addition, the immediate development of the Bruce Energy Centre will create more jobs for Huron -Bruce. David Peterson and I are committed to proceeding immediately with this project. For young people, the Ontario liberals have developed a Youth Opportunity program which will provide them with experience and work opportunity. Peterson: Governments can't just talk about "employment opportunities, they have to plan for them. As New Democrats have done in Manitoba, we believe that in Ontario we should set a goal of reducing unemployment by two per cent in the coming year. We would meet this goal by planning for: 1. New produc- tion through import replacement; 2. shorter working time by reducing overtime, allowing early retirement and paid educational leaves. This would allow workers to share existing work and the benefits of new technology. 3. Get on with important social jobs like child care, environmental clean-up, helping seniors stay independent and housing. 4. Expand job opportunities through community economic developments, co-operatives and existing new and small business. Snobelen: Better job skills education, promotion of Bruce Centre and enhancement of local industry. NORMA PETERSON New Democratic Party - 5. Do you feel the provincial government is doing enough for Ontario farmers? If not, what additional programs -would you propose? Elston: I do not feel that enough has been done. Ontario agriculture has suffered from high interest costs and low commodity prices . without receiving help . from our agriculture minister while other provinces have provided their farmers with help. Ontario Liberals will provide in- terest assistance to farmers on long-term debt and take special steps to deal with erosion problems. In addition we will tackle the problem of foreign ownership. There will also be "Right to Farm" legislation to protect farmers from nuisance lawsuits. Peterson: NO. The province needs to be providing long-term, low-interest credit. It needs to support cattle, hog and sheep prices at the average level at which other provinces do with clear upper limits based on the average Ontario family farm. It needs to bring the OFAAP interest rate down to eight per cent. It needs to support the development of decentralized, small-scale food processing plants to provide local markets and rural employment. It , needs to revise the Foodland Guidelines to preserve prime agricultural land and increase funding for soil erosion prevention. The provincial govern- ment should pass legislation to limit absentee farmland ownership to 10 acres. Snobelen: Programs must be created to better educate farmers along economic lines. Federal grants (sic) must be made aware of the problems created by tariffs and trade agreements. 6. What is your position on the principle of equal pay for work of equal value? Elston: I support the principle of equal pay for work of equal value. An Ontario Liberal government will incorporate this into the Ontario Employment Standards Act. Peterson: I fully support the principle of equal pay for work of equal value, as does the New`bemocratic Party. People should be paid on the basis of their contribution to society — not on their sex. Snobelen: All people should work towards this. 7. How do you feel about the moral and legal issues involved in the current debate over abortion? Elston: I personally feel that abortion should not be used as an -alternative -to birth control. t also feel that, in situations of rape and where there is a life -and -death situation involved that abortions should be allowed if the mother so chooses. I am opposed to free-standing abortion clinics. Peterson: Abortion should not be used as a form of birth control — it is a failure of birth control. We need more research for reliable methods of birth control and family planning. I believe it'' is necessary to work toward a responsible and caring. society where the pressures which lead women to choose abortion would be reduced. However I support the right of the individual to make a private, moral decision. Snobelen: PRO LIFE. MiKE SNOBELEN Progressive Conservative 8. Are you satisfied with Ontario's record on control of 'pollution and protection of the environment? If not, how would you improve it? Elston: I am not happy with our current environment record. In Ontario more can be done to prevent our water quality from declining, to prevent acid rain from injuring our trees and field crops, to prevent erosion from taking away our soil and to prevent toxics from being spilled all over our high- ways or dumped in unlicensed locations. An Ontario. Liberal government will move immediately to • fulfill a,1982 promise by the current administration to install scrubbers on coal-fired Ontario Hydro plants to help reduce acid rain, but more importantly to create the basis for better negotiations with the U.S. An Ontario Liberal government will monitor toxic, chemicals from their creation until they are safely disposed of in licensed, supervised sites. An Ontario Liberal govern- ment will take immediate steps to reduce erosion and will install better facilities to guard our water quality. Peterson: NO! More than a third of the major polluters of our Great Lakes are in violation of Ontario's current standards yet the Tories do nothing. New Democrats be ieve the level of fines should be large enough to discourage continued pollution and encourage investment by major polluters in cleaning -up their effluents. INCO and Ontario Hydro are the major sources of acid rain in Ontario. It is time they cleaned up and the New Democrats are committed to making them. Snobelen: No. All current programs must continue to be enhanced. Penalties must be stiffer. 9. What issue do you consider most important to the people of Huron -Bruce, and how would you deal with it? 'Elston: T ssue of jobs is most important right now. In this regard we ve three very great opportunities in the areas of agriculture ourism and the Bruce Energy Centre. In earlier questions I have outlined my programs to assist agriculture and the Bruce Energy Centre in order to create stable employment. An Ontario Liberal government will also concentrate onproviding help for our growing tourist potential. One way would be to set up a separate Tourist District for our area rather than having us included in the "Muskoka" region as we now are for planning purposes. By concentrating on the development of these three economic areas, we can provide more stable, long-term employment opportunities here in Huron -Bruce. I want to provide the children of Huron -Bruce with the opportunity to work and stay in the,riding rather than forcing them to leave to find work, as they now do. Peterson: I believe that jobs and employment opportunities are the major issue in Huron -Bruce. I would refer your readers to my answers to questions 4, 5, 6 and 8. If farmers can earn a living on the land it will open up jobs in our communities. The increased purchasing power from decent farm income and equal pay for work of equal value will create new job opportunities. With its long lake coast, Huron -Bruce has a significant tourist industry. Controlling pollution will protect this in- dustry as well as create some jobs locally. There are jobs to„ be protected and d increased in rural day care, home care for senior citizens and community economic developments. As a New Democrat I'm committed to making changes which put people first. Planning to reduce unemployment is a • crucial change. There is one final area I would like to comment on. There is no point to talking about improving day care, health care or reducing farm interest rates if we can't raise the money to finance them. The tax system in Ontario is extremely unfair. Wealthy individuals and corporations avoid taxes while poor or middle-incoine earners are heavily taxed. For example, in 1984 Bell Canada Enterprises avoided paying $300 million in taxes. This one corporate tax dodge is equivalent to the in- come taxes paid by -50;000 Ontario families. Asa New Democrat I believe we need a fair tax system. 7'o raise revenue we would eliminate corporate tax write-offs which don't create jobs, bring in a minimum tax so that high income earners now avoiding taxes pay their lair share. We would phase out the education portion of the property tax bill, eliminate OHIP premiums and remove the sales tax from personal hygiene and other necessary items. Creating a fair tax system would help make the changes that put people first. Snobelen: i feel jobs are the most important issue to the people of Huron -Bruce, as before in number four.