Ken Johnston
About 75 people gathered at Our Lady of the Way School in Stratton last Tuesday evening for the only local all-candidates’ debate west of Thunder Bay so far.
Hosted by the Rainy River Federation of Agriculture, the four hopefuls vying for the Thunder Bay-Rainy River seat in the Oct. 19 federal election each introduced themselves before answering questions from the audience.
“I respect Steven Harper,” said Conservative candidate Moe Comuzzi.
“He made us safe, helped us prosper with lower taxes, and, despite tough economic times, he had a strong economic record,” she noted.
Comuzzi kept to that line for most of the evening—saying that if elected, she would ensure the riding received what it’s due.
NDP incumbent John Rafferty said that in his door-to-door campaigning to date, many people have noted they are struggling.
“They can’t afford child care and often have to choose between working or caring for their family,” he remarked.
Rafferty said other concerns are over crumbling infrastructure and the government’s poor treatment of veterans.
On jobs, Rafferty said, “Despite what the PM says, he has the worst job growth and worst economic growth in decades.”
“I am here to listen to you,” said Liberal candidate Don Rusnak.
“That is the job of an MP,” he stressed. “Listen to you and take your concerns to Ottawa.”
Green Party candidate Christy Radbourne is an immigrant from the U.S.
She comes from a rural farming background but currently is a vice-principal at an elementary school in Thunder Bay.
Questions from the floor
•How do you plan to support a sustainable beef industry?
Comuzzi
—Keep taxes low;
—Look at how all agricultural industries contribute to our economy; and
—Our small business tax credit helps create jobs
Rafferty
—30,000 family farms are gone after nine years of Conservative rule and farm debt loads have grown;
—The Conservatives have abandoned the supply management system;
—The NDP strategy will be called from “Farm to Fork” and we will maintain the supply management system; and
—We also will initiate a payment protection program
Rusnak
—Liberals want to invest in farming innovation close to home; and
—I understand the abattoir was built to federal standards but there is no federal inspector in the region; we will fight hard to get an inspector here
Radbourne
—We will fight to keep large corporations out of farming;
—We want more local processing centres; and
—We want improved access to shelf space
•What is your position on the long-gun registry?
Rusnak
—I have guns and we will have some kind of registry but not like the old one; it doesn’t make sense to spend money on something that does not work
Radbourne
—I do not support the return of the long-gun registry
Comuzzi
—There will be no registry under our government
Rafferty
—Tom Mulcair has said there will be no return of the registry
•With aging population and aging social housing facilities, Rainy River Mayor Deb Ewald asked the candidates, if elected, would their party return to the table as strong partners as they once were?
Radbourne
—We do have a strategy to invest in social housing by increasing the gas tax and giving more of it to municipalities for social housing; and
—We also would create a youth corps 160,000 strong to help communities build infrastructure such as social housing
Rusnak
—We would spend more on infrastructure so municipalities don’t have to; we are the only party committed to spending $85 billion in our first mandate on it
Rafferty
—Retirement security means more than money, it also means a place to live;
—The feds used to be 50 percent partners, now literally zero
Comuzzi
—The most important thing is to create good-paying jobs in the community;
—There are federal dollars for infrastructure and applications can be made;
—Yes, we need to rebuild infrastructure, but it won’t happen when you don’t have an MP who is in power; and
—You need someone to champion these dollars
•Since the BSE crisis cattle, producers have had to take the long way to Steinbach before cattle can cross the border and end up just south of the Rainy River District.
What will your government do to get the border at Rainy River open to our cattle again?
Comuzzi
—You need an MP that can take the bull by the horns and champion your problem, you need an MP that will say enough is enough;
—If elected, I will deal with it.
Rafferty
—The fight is ongoing and is a U.S. issue;
—The border crossing at Baudette is well-manned, I see no reason why beef can’t go through
Rusnak
—I ask is the Conservative minister to our north or our current MP even talking to the powers that be in the U.S. to get this resolved (my understanding is it has not been happening);
—I would go across the border and talk to people that make decisions
Radbourne
–Coming from the U.S., I understand the impulse to regulate in the name of protection;
—One of the biggest issues is the Conservatives’ relationship with the U.S. (Harper does not play well in the sandbox);
—Divisive politics do not work
•With the loss of bus services here years ago, and the recently-announced cuts to bus service between Winnipeg and Thunder Bay, what will your party do for seniors who do not or cannot drive anymore?
Rafferty
—The problem here is two-pronged. Without parcel delivery being allowed to pass through the U.S. and declining passenger usage, the service no longer was profitable;
—It is important that we, as a government, be proactive and help entrepreneurs grow their business
Rusnak
—I would love to see passenger rail service return here but I do not know if that is feasible;
—I have a friend that wants to expand his bus service but has not had any help from MPs to open the necessary government doors (I would work to see that happens)
Radbourne
—A new government needs to get people off carbon. Imagine a high-speed light rail system in the region where you could get on a train in Dryden and be at work in Thunder Bay in an hour.
—It is possible. We could pay for it by raising carbon taxes.
Comuzzi
—Raising taxes won’t solve problems with the bus service;
—We need to work with entrepreneurs to find solutions and build their businesses
•There were several questions that related to provincial government jurisdictions, including what to do about higher hydro rates and the forest rights issue affecting the Fort Frances mill sale.
All the candidates said they would work hard as a federal representative as much as possible to help alleviate provincial issues.
Another question was on their position on abortion. Only Comuzzi said she was against it.
In closing remarks, each candidate reiterated their positions:
Radbourne
—We need transparent good government;
—We need to invest in infrastructure; and
—We need better information on communities and to get that, we need the long form census back (that way, government can make good decisions for communities)
Rusnak
—We need to co-operate. Justin Trudeau and myself are consensus-builders;
—We need to listen to all ideas and if they are good, then implement them for Canadians, no matter what party they come from;
—I want to advocate for you;
—The NDP plan has a line that all it says is, “Spend $3 billion where Canadians need it most.” That is smoke in mirrors, as is saying they will abolish the Senate . . . that will not happen;
—Harper has appointed so many criminals to the Senate; and
—We need to clean that place up and I want to represent you
Rafferty
—Selling Hydro One and an Ontario pension plan are wrong—they are all about paying down Wynne’s deficit;
—I consider my job two parts. Part is in Ottawa and the other is here. I try to get out into the riding as much as I can; and
—I am proud of the work I have done on pensions and for veterans
Comuzzi
—Low taxes, keeping the country safe, and creating jobs. That is what I will continue to do if elected to another Harper government;
—You all fell short because your MP was not in power
—We gave you benefits like the small business tax credit, child tax credits, etc. Mr. Rafferty voted against all the benefits we gave you;
—Mr. Trudeau feels it is okay to spend and raise taxes. My husband would not like it if I came home and said it is okay to rack the credit cards up because Trudeau says it is okay and will take care of itself;
—Mark my words, the NDP will bring back the long-gun registry; and
—Ask yourself what your NDP candidate has done for you.
