Editor's Note: For the 2019 federal election, ElliotLakeToday teamed up with a journalism student to provide extra coverage on important issues.
The interviews conducted during this Q& A series were done by Camilla Sola, a second-year student from Algonquin College in Ottawa. The issues and topics of discussion focused mainly on youth and young adults in Canada and the Algoma-Manitoulin-Kapuskasing riding. The answers have been edited for length and clarity.
Answers were not available from NDP candidate Carol Hughes.
What do you intend to do to help youth in your community get access to jobs?
Max Chapman (Green) — A big part of that is making sure we're advocating for providing the things that rural communities need to keep up for the 21st-Century economy. That's things like better transportation — so bringing back Via Rail to our communities and more access to passenger trains. More constant busing so people can get around without owning a car and pay for gas. We also need to make sure that broadening infrastructure is in place across Canada.
Dave Delisle (People’s) — One thing is job training. I think that’s a big thing. In order to do that we can try to do employment programs to train and, personally, (I) think training is not only the best thing because a lot of these young kids need some new training. We need to bring factories back to the areas where people can go and actually work and earn enough money to survive.
Le Marique De Marmalade (Rhino) — Yeah, that’s a good question too. You’re catching me off guard. You got to get these youth some jobs, man. We have to offer training and I mean we need to be willing to flip the bill on that. I would really like to see the youth get more into things to get them away from technology for instance. I know it’s overburdening us right now but it used to be the way everyone wanted to go. Honestly, I would really want the youth to go away from the cities. To understand what a non-city life is and get them out there to the agriculture.
Dave Williamson (Conservative) — To ensure we can create jobs in that sector in Ontario, that is critical. I have extensive experience in mining so developing the Ring of Fire and creating those jobs is critical because that will create jobs for the youth. So this is about job creation and it’s about dealing specifically with the geographic differences and identifying the types of jobs that would flourish and do the best in specific regional areas.
Heather Wilson (Liberal) — Making sure students have a job that they earn more than $35,000 and have up to two years to earn money before they start paying back student debt. Creating conditions where students are getting an education and are committed to getting that education. Making sure that students can do that in lots of areas. In Northern Ontario students have to leave the North to get post-secondary. All three of my sons had to leave the North, so recognizing the added cost of food and housing is of particular importance to students in Northern Ontario. We want to make sure they have the finances and resources to be able to get through post-secondary
Many of Ontario’s youth are struggling with mental health. What can you do to include to better support mental health and substance abuse issues in your community?
Max Chapman (Green) — Instead of punishing people for drug use and stigmatising it in that way we’re going to decriminalize that aspect of drug use; we’re going to make sure we’re invested in safe injection sites and addiction services. Mental health services and social programs that will keep people out of poverty and away from being reliant on substances for believing in their harsh reality. We need to make sure we’re working in a compassionate way on the opioid crisis and that we are making sure there is a safe supply for people in Canada who are using drugs right now. People are getting these opioids and are dying because their being poisoned by fentanyl or some other product added to the drugs.
Dave Delisle (People’s) — As far as mental health worker[s] there are social workers who are actually who [are] quite wise I think we should have programs that are available and some housing programs. Because most of these people don’t need a lot of help they just need a step up. An opportunity to get themselves back on their feet.
Le Marique De Marmalade (Rhino) — Not attaching the stigma and not letting people come in. Let’s get you sorted out. What they put their time and effort into it and that’s paying debt into it. We need to start adapting to programs and look at other countries and how they’re being successful in taking care of the youth and their mental health issues and their drug problems. We had things in place, I’m not going to deny that. We got to be a lot more robust about it and it deserves more money. A hell of a lot more money. It’s been forgotten and that takes a toll on both sides on the youth and the taxpayer.
Dave Williamson (Conservative) — There are very few communities that aren't experiencing or haven’t experienced this big impact of substance abuse issues and mental health issues that you’re referring to. So, what we’re going to do is, immediately when were elected what we’re going to do — this will start on Tuesday.
Heather Wilson (Liberal) — We recognize that in all areas for the opioid crisis and mental health issues as well. We are committed to recognizing that Northern Ontario does not have access to some facilities that urban areas may have. It’s about setting standards, there are lots of areas of healthcare that are delivered by the provinces but the federal government set standards, which the provincial government has to appear too. So recognizing anxiety, mental issues and PTSD needs to be made in the North solutions.
According to Statistics Canada, violent crime has been on the rise both in Ontario and Canada-wide since 2015. What are some strategies and programs you can propose to make students feel safer on campus and in their communities?
Max Chapman (Green) — We can make sure that training is in place and standard across the country. In terms of on-campus, I don’t have a very good answer for that. We can make sure that campuses have proper plans in place to deal with students' complaints or action requests and making sure that. Again, we are focusing on providing the proper tools to deal with things like gender violence, sexual violence and substance abuse in a stigmatizing way.
Dave Delisle (People’s) — What we need (is to get) back to more of the after-school programs. That’s one of the biggest things that keeps them away from the violence outside. Instead of having nothing to do, on the street or in the parks and wherever, they hang out with all these other people. There are the causes of gangs, for example. It gives them the opportunity to do something positive. What we need to do is to be able to show these kids that there is other happiness they can choose, other than gangs.
Le Marique De Marmalade (Rhino) — A lot of it surrounds economic issues. We got to take care of our poor, it’s simple as that. That includes everybody. We’re having a major league meltdown with that in Northern Ontario with their Indigenous culture that’s got to be addressed and it’s got to be addressed quickly.
Dave Williamson (Conservative) — So we’re going to enhance the penalties and change the criminal code. So if you are basically brought in and accused of (being part of a) gang, you will be held in custody and you will get minimum sentences. You are not getting an automatic bail and an automatic free pass when you are involved in gang violence so that’s the first thing we’re going to do.
Heather Wilson (Liberal) — There are a few aspects to that, like recognizing oftentimes crimes is related to poverty, so alleviating it from a ground-level, addressing crimes and issues of poverty is one. Working on ways to alleviate poverty so crime levels can fall, so, investing in housing, investing in pharmacare and training programs so people can have jobs so that crime levels do drop. Recognizing police need services in Northern Ontario to address crime levels.
What will you do to support youth in the LGBT+ community in your area?
Max Chapman (Green) — We can fund communities where we can educate — an awareness program that leads to a greater understanding of reality, diversity, sexuality, gender identity, and programs for training on non-binary and two-spirited people in the workplace, how to have same-sex relationships in Canada. We shouldn’t have it stigmatized and have a policy around that. We can ensure that we’re working with social services, community support, shelters, and other organizations to make sure they have the funding the training and supports necessary to deal with these issues.
Dave Delisle (People’s) — What we can do is support them with mental health programs that they need because they’re dealing with the changes themselves and we can put money into programs specifically for them, so they’re with people with the same mindset as them and I think that’s a good place to start.
Le Marique De Marmalade (Rhino) — We just got to be so much more accepting, we have places for these people to go to and to get counseling if they need it. They got to be included. Again, it takes funding and understanding and a will. That’s the thing, we don’t get the standard crop of politician party we had last 150 years. We got one coin, two sides. One side is blue and one side is red. The graphics are different on either side but it’s the same coin. They’re not hearing it, for the wealthiest, for the course. You know, politicians are out there (for those) who need it the least. We’re out there doing the opposite to turn that around. Wash that coin and making something beautiful about it.
Dave Williamson (Conservative) — Within the Conservative party, we have a number of candidates who identify as within the LGBTQ community. This is an education issue, so this is ensuring that we as a society and a whole that we are accepting the fact that we're all distinct and all unique in our own special way. So our party is very open to dealing with all the good folks.
Heather Wilson (Liberal) — Education is key. I talked to many teachers and many LGBTQ people, so I think education, and all levels are important. The Ford government did a disservice (to) people in Ontario. A Liberal government will be putting forward standards that should be met regarding education and LGBTQ people. We totally support and the evidence is Justin Trudeau’s going to pride walk parades and participating in events that will promote LGBTQ people living in Canada. And myself, I think education is always the key, so supporting teachers and families so they don't (have experiences) like they had in the past and quite frankly that they are still experiencing in Canada and the rest of the world. We have to stop intolerance and we have to promote that acceptance of diversity in our community.
Youth like all Ontarians care about the environment. In your community what do you intend to do to support your local ecosystem?
Max Chapman (Green) — This is very important to me - an outdoor educator and a person who enjoys canoeing. In my community, there are real concerns about protecting waterways and fresh water because we live on Lake Huron or we live around rivers and lakes that are scattered across the community. We need to re-institute the Navigable Waterways Act in its entirety to make sure that we are protecting all watersheds in Canada from pollution or obstruction. We will work on comprehensive forest strategies in the region to make sure that we’re protecting the sustainability of the logging industry. Also, the forest ecosystem supports local populations of wildlife and people to enjoy the outside.
Dave Delisle (People’s) — I’m a firm believer in protecting the environment. I’m against bringing energy, mostly because technology really isn’t fair to be able to get away from fossil fuels. The way I see it is you’re exchanging one problem to another; for example the solar panels. Let’s take solar panels for example. They have a life expectancy for about 10 years and what happens when they're done; they end up in landfills, which is toxic. Not only does it affect the environment but the batteries from these solar panels and when the batteries are spent. They not only recycle but it goes back into the environment and it’s toxic. We need to properly dispose of these and recycle them so they don’t end up back in the ground. We exchange one problem with another, makes no sense to me.
Le Marique De Marmalade (Rhino) — I walk to work, so I would like to put incentives on the people to start walking, biking, do whatever. And nice incentives, not no baloney-pants. Whenever I want peace incentives in people, they need to look at (it) and say “Hey, I know we’re in that type of environment where people do change jobs."
Dave Williamson (Conservative) — So we’re going to deal with our global trading partners and we’re going to encourage them to adapt to the same technology that we’re going to adapt and also as trading partners, we're going to look at goods that are manufactured in an environmentally responsible manner. So we're going to take it to another level by dealing with this on a global perspective where it should be dealt with. We’re going to encourage people to be more energy-efficient that will be an impact on climate.
Heather Wilson (Liberal) — We talked about it, we had six debates about it so far and climate change has been a big topic for everyone in Canada as well as Ontario and Northern Ontario. I think there are a few aspects of that. The Liberal government has recognized that putting a price on pollution is a way to start. Also recognizing that in Northern Ontario moving away from fossil fuels is going to take time. We cannot be off fossil fuels tomorrow in Northern Ontario. So we need to be thinking of ways that we can be promoting and recognizing climate change is real.
With rising grocery costs, what will you do to ensure consistent, easy access to healthy meals for youth?
Max Chapman (Green) — One thing we do want to do is bring in a granted liveable income across the country and make sure that people aren’t living in poverty in a society as rich as Canada. So we will work with provinces to set a liveable income across the country. People who fund that through making our tax code fair [and] having cooperation pay more. We will raise the corporate tax rate back to 21 per cent, we are going to force large eCommerce corporations to register as vendors and pay taxes in Canada and stuff like that.
Dave Delisle (People’s) — Putting more money into our social programs and into our — for example, our food banks and community gardens. We can create a situation where these users can help out the community garden to earn food by working the community garden and with the social programs. We should have realized some of these youths have issues that need to be addressed to the mental health system.
Le Marique De Marmalade (Rhino) — Yeah, that should be a no-brainer. That should be always accessible to all people no matter what. We’re a rich enough country to do these things. That should be readily available to the youth and if they don’t get it then get them somewhere where they can get the information on it and make that readily available for them out there. You know, to help them out. Give them a hand.
Dave Williamson (Conservative) — Again, we’re back to affordability. Affordability comes from the fact that all of the costs are being driven up by an artificial carbon tax. That’s been put in place by the Liberal government. The carbon tax is 12.6 per litre and it’s on every litre of gas in every transport and every vehicle that's delivered food to the various areas of community
Heather Wilson (Liberal) — I talk to many communities here in Northern (Ontario) that understand we can be contributing to Northern Ontario to farming and creating an industry to contribute in the production of food. Which will not only help food security in Northern Ontario but contribute to Northern Ontario and the rest of Canada. We have so much potential here in the North doing that because we have land and the technology, the new technology in farming that can be contributing to growing food here in Northern Ontario.
With the rising cost of housing in Ontario, what solutions are you proposing to help homeless youth in your community?
Max Chapman (Green) — We also are planning to invest in national housing investment funds, so we can build new housing stock across the country. Also focus on creative solutions like home-sharing, co-op housing, and affordable housing. When we invest that money to make sure that we are making housing that people my age can afford and can live in. We also want to legislate housing as legally protected human rights for Canadians and permanent residents; in that way, we can work from a position of strength in the government.
Dave Delisle (People’s) — We need to change that. We need to also reinvest in communities to be able to give these people an opportunity because I know a lot of homeless people and young homeless people (who have) been unable to finish their education. Due to the question of, “do I go to school or work? I can’t afford to live so I quit school.” We need to retrain people, we need to put more money into the social system to be able to help them.
Le Marique De Marmalade (Rhino) — Legislations have craved the developers and making them have a certain percentage and a hardline percentage to make affordable housing for people. I mean, that takes legislations and that takes the will to do it and there’s no will or legislation to do that for these guys. It’s a free will and they do whatever they want and the doomed, sorry about your luck. Homeless youth? Yeah, get them out of the city. Get them to the sticks. Breathe some fresh air. See what’s going on outside the city.
Dave Williamson (Conservative) — In terms of dealing with new homeowners, we’re going to revisit the stress test and we're going to revisit the insurance period for mortgages as well and look to extend that for 30 years. The issue we’re having now is the rising price of housing. The mortgage cost is exceedingly (high). With the long amortization that should be enabling people, more people to get into quality housing.
Heather Wilson (Liberal) — I just talked to somebody about supporting, increasing the inventory of housing units in Northern Ontario communities, but also the Liberal government has — sorry the Liberal party has proposed that making it easier for first time home buyers by working with CMHC. So first-time home buyers can be interested to buy loans, which will also alleviate some Northern Communities, alleviate some pressures on rental housing markets so home buyers can get into homes thereby freeing up rental units. That will address some housing unit requirements, but also increasing the housing that’s needed in Northern Ontario. By investing . . . and build new housing units so that people work in the communities in Northern Ontario, that is a benefit here in Northern Ontario.
