With one month left in the federal election campaign, Algoma-Manitoulin-Kapuskasing Conservative candidate Dave Williamson came to Elliot Lake to tell supporters it's not enough for Canadians just to get by.
At Friday's opening of his campaign office on Prince Edward Walk, Williamson told a group of local supporters a Scheer Conservative government in Ottawa would mean Canadians would have a chance to get ahead, not merely get by.
He said, the carbon tax which is now 4.6 cents a litre on fuel purchases, will increase to 23 cents, and is designed to get Canadians to drive less.
"I live in northern Ontario, I don't have a choice," said Williamson.
Instead of a carbon tax, Williamson said the Conservatives advocate high tech solutions to the carbon problem. He said that would entail spending money to make sure big industry and other high energy users to reduce their carbon footprint.
"The carbon tax that simply puts more money in government coffers won't do that," he said.
Despite claims to the contrary from the Trudeau Liberals, he added, "You're not getting your money back from the carbon tax."
"There are options that are out there right now." He added, "And certainly what we're exploring is technology. Technology will give us the tools we need to reduce our carbon dioxide emissions."
"So people tell me they think they're getting their money back on the carbon tax. To be completely blunt, it doesn't even begin to cover your actual cost. I work for a municipality. I can tell you our plows run all winter, we burn fuel and we don't get anything back. We get our money from you, the taxpayer.
"Canada produces 1.6 per cent of the carbon dioxide that's going into the atmosphere right now. China produces 36 per cent, the States produces 26 per cent. And we have people running out to buy the products that are actually being manufactured in creating the climate change issue."
He said the Conservatives are going to look at the global products coming into the country and ascertain which products are being made responsibly from a climate perspective.
On big business, Williamson said the Conservatives will eliminate corporate welfare to the tune of $1.5 billion a year. He said, "That's the money that goes to companies like Irving Oil who take our money and use it to create jobs offshore. So that's another step in our platform, we're going to put money back in your pocket."
The Seniors Tax Credit would be enhanced by $1,000, which Williamson said would put another $150 dollars a year back in the pockets of seniors and retirees.
He said the Scheer team will focus on Registered Education Savings Plans to increase the amount of money you can contribute by 10 per cent. He continued, "The trouble is, if we don't rid of the carbon taxes, and all of these other things that keep picking at you, you won't have the money to pay for your children's future."
He said the Conservatives would increase the matching funds the government contributes to RESP's from 20 to 30 per cent.
On immigration, "If you look at northern Ontario, our population base is in decline. We need more people to come. And when you talk about skilled trades, we need to bring in people and recognize their qualifications and certification. We need to bring people to northern Ontario, whether it's from southern Ontario or outside the country."
The Conservatives also pledge to remove the federal tax from home heating and energy bills and set up a tax credit for energy-saving home renovations.
Dave Williamson is working to unseat Algoma-Manitoulin-Kapuskasing New Democrat Carol Hughes who is campaigning for her fourth term as MP. Also in the race are Liberal candidate Heather Wilson and Max Chapman representing the Green Party. Voting day is Monday, Oct. 21.
