Peggy Revell
Local residents had the chance to see those hoping to represent Thunder Bay-Rainy River do some verbal sparring at the all-candidates’ forum hosted by the Fort Frances Chamber of Commerce last night at the Civic Centre.
And while each candidate said afterwards that the debate went well, the one thing lacking was the numbers in attendance. A little more than two dozen people showed up, with many of those already directly affiliated with the various campaigns.
“Really, it speaks to voter apathy,” Green Party candidate Russ Aegard said afterwards, noting that even in Thunder Bay during the previous election, only about 50 people showed up to a debate that had been booked in a huge auditorium.
“I would have liked to see more people,” agreed NDP candidate John Rafferty. “I hope it’s not a sign that voters are not engaged because I’ll tell you quite frankly that the west end [of the riding] is going to determine who the next MP of Thunder Bay-Rainy River is.”
“Every politician loves a packed house, so I’m hoping people will utilize the television services afforded, and really take some time and sit down and watch,” said Liberal incumbent Ken Boshcoff.
Shaw Cable (Channel 10) wasn’t present, but the debate soon will be available in segments online at FortFrances.tv. A transcription of the debate also is planned to be posted on the Fort Frances Times’ website (www.fortfrances.com) in the near future.
Throughout the evening, the four candidates answered a range of topics posed by representatives of the local media and Chamber members, including where the money from each party’s carbon tax/cap system will go, bringing low-carbon energy technologies to rural Canada, and keeping our country afloat during tough economic times in the United States.
Other topics included support of regional economic agencies such as FedNor, making sure the district’s needs are addressed when federal and provincial governments negotiate health care funding, the local tourism industry, and Canada-U.S. border issues.
All four candidates said “yes” to the need to reform EI, as well as expressing strong support—and the need for more funding—for programs like FedNor. They also agreed on the need for changes at the border so welcome tourists to the area.
While it was agreed change is needed, it was the details of those changes that caused contention.
Rafferty opened the forum by challenging the ability of both Stephen Harper and Stephane Dion to lead the country.
“Neither one has shown that they’re the kind of leader that we need for the next four years, much less setting the base for what we need for the next 25 years,” he charged.
“So tonight, here’s my first commitment to you: I live here, I’m a very good listener, I work hard, and I’m eternally optimistic, and I will fight for you and your family.”
Aegard admitted he was relatively new to politics, alongside his party, but emphasized the Green Party’s willingness to put aside the current adversarial and partisan nature of politics.
“We believe that any good idea is a good idea. We don’t care who tables it, so long as it gets done,” he explained.
This was something echoed all evening as Aegard announced support of other candidates’ platforms, alongside some of his own.
“Our solutions are realistic because they follow the best practices already in place in other parts of Canada or other countries,” Aegard said. “These practices are cost-effective, deliver results, and benefit people, the economy, and the environment.”
Vying for a third term as MP for Thunder Bay-Rainy River, Boshcoff stood by his record of achievement and service throughout the evening, and touted the Liberal platform as “something that will carry us forward.”
“There’s one thing that people want most from their elected representatives. They want them to do what they promised to do. This is the politics of trust and accountability,” Boshcoff said, pointing to his parliamentary record over the past four-and-a-half years.
“Your issues are my issues,” he stressed. “I believe that over the past number of years, people have come to realize that I’ve done what I’ve said I would do.”
Boshcoff also took time during his closing remarks to thank Fort Frances for giving him “the honour of being your MP in Ottawa.”
It’s the record and vision of the Harper government in Ottawa that Conservative candidate Richard Neumann stressed throughout last night’s debate.
“For 31 months, Conservatives have provided the leadership to move this country forward with confidence and determination,” he said. “We have faced challenges, however with a deliberate and focused plan, I believe we are on the right track.”
Neumann pointed to actions such as reductions in the GST, personal income taxes, corporate income taxes, and pension splitting and others that “put more money in your wallet” and lower the cost of doing business in the north.
Other parties, he said, will impose new taxes, like the “Green Shift” and new overly-expensive national programs, and are not capable of steering Canada through the upcoming economic troubles the country is facing.
“The Liberals and New Democrats have represented our region for as long as most of us can remember,” Neumann said. “Today I ask all of you to consider whether you will elect another voice in the wilderness or is now the time to make a real and lasting change.
“I ask you today to consider your choice and to consider electing a Conservative voice for our region in a Conservative government.”
