Early last June, Espanola's Heather Wilson.was nominated at home by the Algoma-Manitoulin-Kapuskasing (A-M-K) Liberal Association to take her second run at the federal seat held by Carol Hughes of the New Democratic Party. Hughes had launched her campaign last March in Elliot Lake.
In 2015, Hughes was victorious winning 16,516 to 14,111 to defeat Wilson, and take the riding for the third time.
In 2019, Wilson feels confident she can pull the win.
One of the most controversial issues in.this election is the carbon tax imposed by the Liberals which has added four cents a litre to fuel prices that will become 23 cents in a few years. Wilson says the Liberal policy is widely accepted.
"Our position seems to be supported by lots of economists and scientists alike who argue that this is a way to bring fossil fuel consumption to a level in comparison with greener fuel options," Wilson said.
"And, of course, we are experiencing differently in the north since we don't have access to public transportation like other areas do. But there is a 10 per cent addition to the climate incentive rebate that we get on our taxes," Wilson also said. "There's evidence that suggests that price on pollution is a way for people to be thinking about options to fossil fuel consumption."
The Conservatives want a technological solution to the carbon question. They would scrap the carbon tax.
On immigration, Wilson said, "I've been travelling around this area for months and actually years now."
She continued, "I've talked to businesses and other organizations that are experiencing a real problem with getting people to the the jobs that are already here. We need to find ways and pick up those areas where we need service in healthcare and in retail, perhaps."
Regarding refugees, Wilson said, "Refugees are people who are fleeing persecution and violence in their own countries. We do have an obligation under the United Nations to take up our share of refugees. I think in northern Ontario we have plenty of opportunities to do our share."
She said in nearly 12 years of political involvement, she has found some typical attitudes about party support for workers. Wilson continued, "I think that the people have the impression that it's the NDP that supports unions not just in Ontario, but also in the rest of Canada. But I want people to know it was the Liberals that overturned 100 union laws that (former Prime Minister Stephen) Harper brought in. And it's the Liberals that have invested in unionized organizations like Domtar and other areas in northern Ontario."
She concluded, "So I just think that people who have tradtionally voted NDP should really be getting more information on the way they voted, or have the potential to vote. I know that the voters in northern Ontario can look at the landscape and perhaps they'll choose a typical Liberal like myself here on October 21."
As the federal election gets closer, the parties continue to add planks to their electoral platforms on a daily basis. Bouncing back from the blackface controversy, this week Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced that the Liberals would create a national pharma care system, somewhat like one touted by the New Democrats.
While the week started with the polls showing the Liberals slipping nationally, as the Conservatives took a small lead in their ongoing two-way battle, in Algoma-Manitoulin-Kapuskasing it's a five-way race with incumbent New Democrat Hughes fighting for her seat with Wilson.of Espanola, Conservative Dave Williamson and Green Party rep Max Chapman, both of Manitoulin Island and CPC candidate Dave Delisle of Smooth Rock Falls.
The voters will make their choices on Oct. 21.
