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The Times Advocate, 2008-10-01, Page 22 Times–Advocate Wednesday, October 1, 2008 Variety of issues at Huron -Bruce all -candidates meeting Continued from front page show industries are in crisis. He said a year and half ago 22 recommendations were made by a House of Commons standing com- mittee that would have fortified the industrial sec- tor, but Prime Minister Stephen Harper ignored them in favour of a free market approach. McClinchey said the Liberals would bring the rec- ommendations into effect as well as retooling to deal with demands of green industry. Joslin said the $700 billion bailout needed in the United States shows the effects of over regulation and taxation, with Canada and Ontario ranking low in terms of economic freedom and that "government needs to get out of the way." McQuail said that the NDP cap and trade program would create a fund for green industries and encourage manufacturers to retool while Lobb said the Conservatives have an approach which includes attracting and retaining industry by cutting taxes, as well as retraining workers. The candidates were also asked how they would protect Canada's food supply, with McQuail saying the NDP would invest in organic foods and ban the use of terminator seeds, as well as stopping the pri- vatization of food inspectors. Smith said the Greens would invest in local food distribution. Lobb said under the Conservatives, a new food labeling system has been brought in so buyers know where food is coming from. He added the Conservatives have also invested $113 million in inspections and hired 200 new inspectors. McClinchey said the Liberals wouldn't continue to water down the food inspection system and will put more inspectors on plant floors. "It's the govern- ment's responsibility, not corporate...food is para- mount." He added that there are more inspectors looking at children's toys than at food. Joslin said while he supports more inspections and enforcement, he didn't support the search and seizure powers that the Canadian Food Inspection Agency has. Responding to a question about how farmers should be compensated for supplying ecological goods and services to other sectors, Smith said there should be incentives for growing locally while Lobb said the Conservatives have made a deep com- mitment with a $2 billion plan for alternative fuels. McClinchey said "the question should be why farmers should pay for benefits received by society in general," and that society should pay as a whole. He added that while regulations are a good thing, "farmers get kicked with every law." Joslin said if society is going to mandate regula- tions, farmers should have input. "Whatever the Golden Horseshoe needs, the province jumps." Business expanding Continued from front page says the expansion means Goderich Aircraft is strengthening its competitive position in the VIP con- version business sector. GAI has developed a reputation of excellence with- in the North American aviation industry and is expanding its client base further in the global mar- ket. Over the past 15 years of business GAI has grown from an operation of five employees located in Brantford, to a corporation that employs over 130 skilled craftsmen, engineers, trades persons and apprentices drawn from all over Canada to its facili- ties. The growth into the global market required the need for an additional hangar facility to meet future demands. GAI broke ground on a new 43,000 square foot state of the art facility in September that will have the capability to accommodate two Boeing Business Jets simultaneously. Goderich Aircraft's vice-president of sales Andy Orr said, "While the high demand for additional refurbishment slots drove the decision making process, the continued local support from the com- munity and municipal government encouraged us to invest locally despite the rural location. "We will be moved into the hangar by the end of February 2009 with an additional 70 to 80 jobs cre- ated prior to the expansion being completed. The new hangar will house a stunning customer lounge, conference facilities, executive office suites, an inte- rior design centre along with various back shops and secured storage areas. We intend to be a top -tier facility in the aviation marketplace while never abandoning our strong client relationships that have been built during the past 15 years." Facing off — From left, Huron -Bruce Conservative ca from the Christian Heritage Party, NDP candidate Tony in Holmesville Friday night for an all -candidates meeting Agriculture. (photo/Pat Bolen) McQuail noted "as farmers, we depend on the environment. It's in our interest to make it work." Asked how they would fight rural poverty, Lobb said the best way is to put people back to work by attracting new jobs. McClinchey said rural poverty can take many forms and that the Liberal 30/50 plan would address the problem but the causes of poverty has to be looked at. Joslin said the best way is to ensure jobs are there with a business friendly climate and the CHP Fair Tax, as well as long-term palliative care, all of which Joslin said will lift people out of poverty. McQuail said the NDP will lay the groundwork with a national strategy for housing and that with peak oil, "the ground rules are changing." McQuail said the country will have to become less energy intensive and the NDP will support afford- able housing and prevent price gouging. Another question asked was how the parties would preserve water resources. Joslin said the CHP would fund research to see where pollution comes from and to see what can be done to protect the water supply without losing jobs. He added "farmers shouldn't have to bear the cost." McQuail said water shouldn't be a North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) commodity, while Smith emphasized "the Green Party is the environ- mental party." Lobb said the Conservatives have funded $200 mil- lion to protect sensitive areas and to address the problem at the local level with the three tiers of gov- ernment working at the source, "from rain to lake." McClinchey described the water supply as a "national treasure," and that governments need to work with conservation authorities. "There is no need to reinvent the wheel." Asked whether they support supply management both nationally and internationally, McQuail said yes and he wants to see an end to dumpings while ensuring the right of Canadians to use orderly mar- keting to ensure price stability. Smith said he wasn't sure what the policy of the Green Party on supply management is, but would find out. Lobb said he supports supply management "110 per cent," while McClinchey said that while every candidate says they support the policy, the Conservatives launched an attack on the Canadian Wheat Board. The Liberals, said McClinchey, would make sure the wheat board is protected by making sure any changes would have to come through parliament. Joslin said the CHP supports supply management, but noted that he wasn't sure "if the wheat board is apples to apples...it's not as rosy as the Liberals want you to believe." In response to a question about Canada's Human Rights Commissions (CHRC) and protections of free speech, McClinchey said legal bodies shouldn't harass citizens and since there have been cases that raised questions, there should be provisions put in to prevent them. Joslin said the investigators of the CHRC have "sweeping powers," with those under investigation having no rights and added the commissions "are fascist thugs that should be abolished." McQuail said while he knows very little about the issue, he noted the flyers that have been mailed out by the Conservative party in the last few months that he described as "political harassment and pro- ndidate Ben Lobb, Liberal Greg McClinchey, Dave Joslin McQuail and Green Party candidate Glen Smith were sponsored by the Huron County Federation of paganda...the local Conservative candidate approved." Smith said he was no expert on the CHRC but said he believes rights should be respected. Replying to McQuail's comments about the mail- ings, Lobb said all members have the right to do it. "Everyone sends them out," and added "they're pointless, get rid of them." Responding to a question on gun control, Joslin said Bill C-68 should be scrapped and was designed by the Liberals to exterminate civilian gun owner- ship. "It's a huge waste of money...we're not safer." McQuail said he thought the bill wasn't a bad idea when it was first brought in but it has now turned into a boondoggle. He added the NDP isn't in favour of throwing it out completely since the gun control process is still needed in areas such as Toronto but a policy is needed to meet the needs of different areas. Smith said the Green Party would create a gun registry system that is fair and phase out the use of personal weapons. Lobb said the Conservatives scrapped the long gun portion of the registry and the money is better spent on hiring police. McClinchey said he supports the registry. "It's not a bad thing to run a background check," and added that the Liberals would address the root causes of crime such as poverty and despair. Asked what the parties and candidates would do to encourage a switch from fossil fuels, Smith said the Greens will invest in new ways to save the plan- et. Lobb noted the Conservatives have supported five - per cent ethanol as well as strong support for nuclear power, which he described as the "baseline for the grid." McClinchey said more sustainable technology has to be adopted, such as biodiesel out of garbage as well as more efficient use of power grids during off peak times. Joslin said all energy is legitimate and that the CHP doesn't accept climate change. "We need research before jumping on the band- wagon," noting that a few years ago "corn ethanol was the magic bullet." McQuail said everyone should understand what peak oil means and that while there is nothing on the horizon that will replace fossil fuels, there are ideas such as ride sharing people need to do. After the questions, the candidates made closing comments. Smith said "youth are our future and we're the new kids on the block." McQuail said for 40 years he has worked to build a sustainable society "and these hands will work with you." Joslin said the CHP would pay off the debt, get rid of Bill C-68 and abandon the hysteria of the green movement. In his comments, McClinchey said modern agricul- ture is complex and in the 21st century must be globally competitive. He said government support should not be fly-by-night and not a subsidy but an investment of real support. Lobb said the choice is one question. "Who do you trust?" He added that Prime Minister Stephen Harper has governed in a clear and decisive way to make Canada economically strong. Thompson then thanked the candidates for their participation and those in the audience for coming out and closed the meeting.