About 100 people came to hear from the five candidates running to become their next MP later this month. It happened at an all-candidates meeting on Thursday night at Elliot Lake's Moose Family Centre on Oakland Boulevard.
The debate's respectful tone was set early by moderator and Elliot Lake Councillor Tom. Turner who in turn commended the candidates for their civil behaviour. There were no boos, cheers or jeers, just polite applause for many speakers.
The five candidates for the Algoma-Manitoulin-Kapuskasing (A-M-K) riding in the current federal election campaign appeared in Elliot Lake for the third such debate in the riding, in as many nights. It was preceded by similar events in Espanola and on Manitoulin Island.
On stage were Conservative Dave Williamson, Liberal Heather Wilson, Green Party rep Max Chapman, New Democrat incumbent Carol Hughes and People's Party of Canada candidate Dave DeLisle. They're all running for the House of Commons seat which Hughes has held for the past 11 years.
Hughes and Green Party candidate Max Chapman favoured a guaranteed annual income. Conservative Dave Williamson and PPC Dave DeLisle both wanted to cut taxes and make life more affordable for Canadians. Liberal Heather Wilson wanted to provide more economic security for Canadians through job creation and education. There was no mention by anyone of Trudeau blackface or SNC Lavalin and not much was said about immigration issues.
PPC Delisle did criticize any move to add housing for newcomers along the Highway 7 and 11 corridors. He said he was against tree cutting to make way for such development.
The Greens, NDP and Liberals favour carbon reduction measures via economic driven incentives. Conservative Williamson said spending on new technologies will achieve the same goal and money being paid to the Liberal carbon tax will never come back to Canadians. PPC DeLisle said under the Trudeau regime Canadians are paying tax on tax when HST is added to the carbon tax.
Seven people in the audience asked questions of the candidate's panel. Their queries included possible changes to the National Service Dog Act, which of the candidates participated in the recent Climate Strike, how to tackle problems with atmospheric chemical trails, finding ways to expand sources for food banks, improving seniors life experience, providing free dental care and finding ways to incentivize fossil fuel to green energy conversions.
Next week the A-M-K candidates will take part in a series of French-language debates in various North Shore communities. Voting day is October 21.
