Candidates Faced Off In Ingersoll

The Woodstock Ingersoll and District Real Estate Board organized the All Candidates Forum in Ingersoll. The debate last night was the third overall and second one this week, featuring local candidates from the Conservative Party, NDP, PPC and the Christian Heritage Party.

INGERSOLL - Oxford County residents nearly filled up the Unifor Local Hall for the All Candidates Forum in Ingersoll.

The debate saw four local candidates in attendance to field questions from the audience.

The incumbent, Conservative Party candidate Dave MacKenzie was among those on hand.

"Ladies and gentlemen this election is important for all of us in this room, but even more so for our future generation. We can no longer afford to live off credit cards that we cannot afford to pay. Andrew Scheer nor Dave MacKenzie do not live this way and no longer can the government of Canada live this way."

NDP candidate Matthew Chambers was also there answering questions.

"I'm hearing from people everyday at the doorstep and they're telling me that they feel that the very richest and the big corporations should pay more, so that the average Canadian isn't falling behind."

People's Party of Canada candidate Wendy Martin was in attendance, as well as Christian Heritage Party candidate Melody Aldred.

Green Party candidate Lisa Birtch-Carriere and Liberal candidate Brendan Knight were absent, while it was learned the Libertarian candidate Henryk Szymczyszyn has dropped out of the race.

The debate last night was the third overall and second one this week. There is a recap from the All Candidates Forum from this past Monday and last Thursday's recap can be found here.

Following their opening speeches each candidate took questions from the audience, starting off with what each party would do to oppose the dump in Beachville, which was asked by the President of the Oxford People Against the Landfill (OPAL) Bryan Smith.

Chambers says the NDP would re-implement the Navigation Protection Act, formerly known as the Navigable Waters Protection Act. It provides protection to lakes, rivers and wetlands from landfills dumping items into them and mining.

MacKenzie says it is a provincial issue and the NPA would do nothing for the dump. He says the Conservative Party would stop cities from dumping raw sewage.

Martin says the PPC would also stop the dumping of sewage, calling it an atrocity in Canada. She says it is a provincial issue and they'd be more proactive with the dump.

Aldred says the CHP are committed to the environment and they'd look into resourceful and creative ways to help the environment. She adds it is a provincial issue, along with a municipal issue.

The topic shifted to lifelong disability for war veterans.

Chambers says they'd work to restore pensions that were cut by previous liberal and conservative governments. He says they'd look after the veterans, as they deserve the support that they've earned.

MacKenzie says they would come up with a system to better serve the veterans, which would take time and they'd have discussions with veterans groups.

Martin says the PPC recognizes and respects the veterans' sacrifices and that they'd reinstate the Fair Disability Act. She says they'd want to make sure everyone is compensated properly. 

Aldred says there would be proper medical care given to veterans, including full medical benefits. She says the families need support and the CHP would do everything they can to help the veterans.

As the evening went on, all of the candidates addressed the topic of the legalization of marijuana.

MacKenzie says the Conservative Party won't change it.

"We're not going to change it, it's legal. But (Prime Minister) Justin Trudeau is the guy that brought it in, he's the guy you should be asking how he's going to profit from it. I saw where the province of Ontario I think operated a $24 million or $42 million dollar loss last year. Perhaps the whole thing has been set up wrong from the beginning, perhaps not a lot of thought went into the process and I think that's the one, well maybe there's one other but I can't tell you what it is, election promise he made that he fulfilled."

Martin says they're also not going to change anything on the legalization of marijuana.

Aldred says the CHP looks at a marijuana as a gateway drug and while they do believe of the medicinal properties to marijuana, they're still very concerned about the outcome from a recreational standpoint.

Chambers says the NDP believes in keeping marijuana legal, expunging all criminal records for people who used it recreationally before it was legalized. 

The topic then shifted to same-sex marriage, which Chambers responded by saying the NDP is supportive of it.

MacKenzie says the times are different and there are candidates from the LGBTQ community who are open.

Martin says there is legislation on same-sex marriage and they accept all laws in Canada. She says everyone has the right to love who they want. 

Aldred says the CHP believes in governance in adherence to biblical principles and they would rescind back to marriage between a man and a woman. She says the CHP loves the LGBTQ community.

The NAFTA agreement was brought up and each candidate was asked how their party would improve it.

MacKenzie says it was a poorly negotiated agreement and they'd make changes as they go ahead. 

Martin says she was very disappointed in the deal and the PPC would redo the agreement. She says the government would stand up to U.S. President Donald Trump and put Canadians first.

Aldred says the CHP doesn't know enough about the NAFTA agreement however they'd keep the country's sovereignty and not accept imports that are subsidized. 

Chambers also says the deal would be renegotiated and the NDP would put Canadians first, as well as stand up to Trump.

Each candidate also addressed plastic reduction, after Heart FM's Sabrina Storm asked the question how they all felt about the current Liberal government's announcement this past June, proposing to ban single use plastics by the year 2021.  Storm noticed that three of the candidates had single use plastic bottles in front of them, with the exception of the youngest candidate.

Chambers says they have a plan in place.

"The NDP does have a plan to ban single use plastics in the future and well you have to lead by example. Simple as that."

MacKenzie says they will get away from single use plastics, as many provinces are banning them in grocery stores. He says by switching back to paper bags and paper straws, there will be less plastic.  He also noted that the organizers had gave all of them plastic bottles, but his remained unopened and not used. 

Martin says the plastic will be reduced eventually, but right now the public has to take personal responsibility for the environment.

Aldred says the CHP would also be reducing the use of plastics and it'd be happening sooner than later.

Towards the end of the evening, one question brought to the candidates was regarding the defunding of the CBC, to which three out of the four of them agreed to.

MacKenzie says the CBC is not trusted and it is a bloated bureaucracy. He also says the PBS has a better broadcast.

Martin says the PPC would defund the CBC and it should be a private organization like PBS and that the government doesn't need to be buying the news.

Aldred says the CBC must be defunded and privatized, calling it bias and that not a lot of news gets covered.

Chambers says the NDP would keep the CBC public and keep it open and free. He says they are capable of making their own opinions and decisions.

All of the candidates were then asked about which policy on their platform would be implemented immediately, if their party was elected.

Martin responded by saying the PPC would promote the veterans platform, saying they have been suffering and disrespected. She says she has lost so many friends to suicide from PTSD. 

Aldred says the CHP would defund abortion, including medical and surgical services. She says over 4 million babies have been killed through abortion in 50 years, with approximately 100,000 babies killed through abortion each year. She says it is a barbaric and inhumane act towards children.

Chambers says the NDP would implement health care expansion, including pharmacare, child and dental care. He says it'd help people afford things like their health care, pay for their glasses and send their kids to school.

MacKenzie didn't bring up a particular policy, however he says they'd live within their means as a nation. 

On how each candidate's party would make education more affordable, MacKenzie says they need the education system to be responsive and they feel a need for governments to assist, but that it would be never be free.

Martin says there should be more personal responsibility from students and it is a provincial issue.

Aldred says there'd be no free tuition. She says universities should make sure they offer courses where sufficient jobs are available. 

Chambers says the NDP would forgive student debt and make tuition free for post-secondary education. 

After giving their closing speeches, the candidates met with members of the community to answer any additional questions.

The debates will continue over the next week, including in Norwich, Tillsonburg and Woodstock.