Delta voters got their first chance to hear what the riding’s federal election candidates had to say at an all-candidates debate at the North Delta Evangelical Church Saturday morning.
The event sponsored by the Delta Residents’ Association and Council of Canadians featured Liberal incumbent Carla Qualtrough, New Democrat Randy-Anderson Fennell, the Green’s Craig DeCraene and People’s Party of Canada candidate Angelina Ireland.
Conservative candidate Tanya Corbet did not attend.
Also registered with Elections Canada as candidates in the Delta riding, independents Tony Bennett and Amarit Bains did not take part as well.
Following introductions, the four candidates were all asked the same questions which were submitted prior by the public.
On the question of how to pay for promised new services and benefits, and whether it’s important to balance the budget or if it’s all right to carry deficit, Qualtrough responded the country had been falling apart under a decade of Conservative rule and that her government is managing things responsibly.
‘’Our economy is firing on all cylinders. We have the highest growth in the G7. We have the lowest unemployment rate since we’ve been tracking unemployment rates. We have created a million jobs in this country over the past four years and we believe that’s because of the investments we’ve made in Canada and Canadian infrastructure. The investments we’ve made have made a real difference in the lives of Canadians,” she explained.
DeCraene said he was only able to answer that they believe in having a balanced budget.
Ireland didn’t mince words when saying her government would balance the budget in two years, and that can be achieved in part by not sending billions of dollars overseas.
“When we carry deficit, when we carry debt, we steal from our children’s future. They’re the ones who will have to pay for all the extravagance that we are indulging in today. It’s going to be very easy for us to balance the budget in two years because are not going to spend billions of dollars, sending it overseas. We’re going to bring that money back into Canada. We have many issues in this country that we have to deal with. Spending billions of dollars to send to Africa to fight climate change is not the federal government’s job,” said Ireland.
Anderson-Fennell said they would ensure the tax system is fair and that the wealthy are made to pay their fair share. He also outlined his party’s platform which includes providing dental care for families making under $70,000.
Asked if post-secondary tuitions should be reduced or free, DeCraene agreed it should be reduce, saying too many Canadians are burdened by student debt. Ireland noted it’s a provincial responsibility. Saying its time for the government to stop profiting off student debt, Anderson-Fennell said caps and reductions are appropriate because student debt is creating an inequality. Qualtrough pointed out her government has taken a number of measures including reducing interest rates and increasing scholarships, but there’s also other good ideas to explore.
On the question of what should be done with the George Massey Tunnel, Ireland said it’s a provincial responsibility and that it wouldn’t be fair to expect British Columbians to pay for roads and bridges in Quebec. Anderson-Fennell said the government should partner with the provinces and municipalities on important infrastructure projects, creating a community benefits agreement. Qualtrough noted it’s an important issue, adding Liberal leader Justin Trudeau recently said the money is there when the province picks its preferred option. DeCraene said more money should be directed toward transit projects, although he doesn’t have a problem having something done with the tunnel.
Asked about their policies to address the climate emergency, Qualtrough noted her government is taking important steps including moving away from the country’s reliance on fossil fuels and that it intends to ban single-use plastics, although more can be done. DeCraene spoke of the Green platform which includes opposition to the Trans Mountain pipeline.
Saying children shouldn’t be exploited, Ireland said there is, in fact, no climate change emergency and that science has become politicized.
Shaking his head, Anderson-Fennel didn’t agree, saying climate is “is damn real” and his government would build a strong climate action plan.
Asked for their position on cannabis being grown on the ALR, all the candidates expressed similar concern that farmland should be used for food production.
Other questions ranged from what their position is on funding for housing that includes accessibility, developing a senior’s strategy on pensions and what their governments would do to address sea level rise.
The election takes place Oct. 21.
