While the debate on Thursday at the Wallaceburg Legion was hosted by the Chatham-Kent Health Coalition and the Ontario Nurses’ Association, Local 35, the questions and answers focused mostly on topics outside of the healthcare realm.
Meeting in Wallaceburg for their second debate in as many nights, four of the eight candidates in Lambton-Kent-Middlesex gathered for the discussion.
Those in attendance:
– Jamie Armstrong – Green Party
– Monte McNaughton – PC
– Joe Hill – NDP
– Mike Radan – Liberal
Not in attendance was Dave Durnin of the Freedom Party, Marinus Vander Vloet of the Family Coalition Party, Matt Wilson of the Libertarian Party and Bob Lewis from the None Of The Above Party.
The candidates had an opportunity to say some opening remarks before they fielded questions from the 45-plus people in attendance.
Radan said the province needs to make a critical decision on June 12 and decide whether to side with “risky tactics” or “safe hands.”
Radan said PC leader Tim Hudak’s plan to cut 100,000 public sector workers would “hurt families”, “destabilize the economy and throw us into a recession.”
“It’s not about a binder, it’s about people,” Radan said.
Radan said the Liberals have no intention, and never had any intention of closing the Sydenham hospital, pointing out that it was the former PC government under the leadership of Mike Harris who “amalgamated the Sydenham Campus.”
“The PC’s will fire nurses and doctors,” he said. “They want to get rid of the Local Health Integration Networks… they want to tear that successful model down.”
Hill told the crowd about his time growing up in Wallaceburg, graduating from Wallaceburg District Secondary School, working at the former brass/Waltec factory, before heading into his career with Nortel.
He then went into attack mode on the PC leader.
“Hudak’s plan to lay off 100,000 people… even our best economists can’t make sense of his math,” Hill said. “That would equal 934 jobs lost in every riding.”
Hill said in terms of healthcare, Ontario spends the lowest amount of money per capita on healthcare in the country.
“The knives would come out right after June 12 and the cuts would begin,” he said.
Hill said the NDP are a public healthcare party.
“After 10 years of scandals, Kathleen Wynne doesn’t deserve another chance,” he said.
McNaughton said he has stood up for the communities he represents since taking office as MPP two and a half years ago.
McNaughton said a PC government would “stop the bleeding” in terms of rural healthcare.
“Sydenham Hospital is bleeding jobs to Chatham… and that is wrong,” he said.
McNaughton said the PC’s will be focusing on bringing in new manufacturing jobs to the province, cutting the wind and solar subsidies across Ontario and “scrap the Liberal bureaucracies.”
Armstrong said he has been running for the Green Party in four elections since 2003.
“Nothing has changed,” he said. “Healthcare, jobs, high price of energy. I can’t think of anyone who wanted this election, besides politicians. The voter turnout will probably be the lowest it has ever been. Look around the room tonight… there are no young people, the crowds are small and we’re $289 billion in debt. Queen’s Park should be working like our municipalities.”
Armstrong said the Green Party is focused on “integrity” and plans to work together with whatever party is in power, whether is is the PCs, Liberals or NDP.
When the question period began, one of the first out of the gate asked the candidates what is the one priority or issue facing the Wallaceburg area with this election.
Radan said jobs is the biggest priority, adding that the Liberal government plans to continue working with businesses to help them grow.
Radan said Lambton Conveyor in Wallaceburg is a prime example of a business who utilized the Southwest Development Fund, to “create new jobs and protect the one’s they already had.”
Hill said he believes jobs are the number one priority in Wallaceburg.
“People need money,” he said.
Hill said the NDP plan to launch a job creation tax credit, which would reward businesses for creating jobs.
Hill said the NDP also plan to cut taxes for small business.
“They’re the ones that need it,” he said.
McNaughton said the biggest issue in this area is the high price of hydro bills.
He said having affordable energy, will help create jobs, adding that the PCs will end the Green Energy Act.
“We have lost 300,000 manufacturing jobs, and a lot of those have come from Southwestern Ontario,” he said. “Wallaceburg has been hit hard. We need to get the energy bills under control.”
Armstrong said jobs in Wallaceburg is a big issue.
He said lowering taxes for small business and getting rid of the “tax grab” with the smart meters for small business and farmers, will be a focus for the Green’s.
Another question was posed specifically about their views and plans for local healthcare, including: whether they support the refurbishment of the Sydenham Campus or the construction of a new hospital for Wallaceburg; whether they would convene a meeting to hear and understand what the communities healthcare needs and wants are; and whether they and the new Health Minister would commit to attending the upcoming AGM for the Tri-Board of the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance on June 26.
Armstrong said the Green Party would support keeping the hospital open in Wallaceburg.
McNaughton said he supports having a fully functioning hospital in Wallaceburg, whether that is fixing the existing building or getting a new one. He also said he would convene a meeting to hear the communities needs, and he also committed to attending the AGM coming up on June 26.
Hill quickly answered yes to all three questions posed.
Radan said he and the Health Minister would be in attendance on June 26 for the AGM, he also said hearing the publics needs and wants at a meeting would be beneficial. Radan also said he would make sure the Wallaceburg community and patients had the best possible care available to them.
Election day is June 12.
Here are some photos from the debate:
