April 27, 2011
Gallant attends Deep
River meeting
by Terry Myers
They came, they spoke...
But as far as who might have “conquered,” that was clearly up to
individual members of the audience.
More than 150 people turned out last Thursday night for the federal
all-candidates meeting sponsored by the Deep River Community
Association at Mackenzie High School.
It truly was an all-candidates meeting as sitting MP Cheryl Gallant
attended her first debate in Deep River since 2004.
Gallant made only limited appearances during the election campaigns in
2006 and 2008, skipping the Deep River gathering both times.
Despite the presence of the veteran and sometimes controversial Member
of Parliament for Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke - or perhaps because of it
- the meeting was a civil affair, rarely generating much heat.
Notable by its absence was much discussion of the future of Atomic
Energy of Canada Ltd and Canada's nuclear industry.
Instead, questions focused more on national issues like taxes,
deficits, the military, and especially the highly partisan atmosphere
of the House of Commons.
Audience member Phil Morley told the candidates he always had great
respect in the past for former NDP leader Ed Broadbent and the way he
conducted himself.
With Broadbent as an example to follow, Morley wondered what each of
the candidates would bring to Parliament to foster a “working
atmosphere of respect”?
Green Party candidate Roseanne Van Schie, the first to respond, said
the Green Party would come to the House of Commons with a “new
approach” and an “open mind.”
“The government in power has its own ideology. It's closed to other
thought,” she said.
“We have to start opening to other ways of looking at things.”
Independent candidate Hec Clouthier agreed that the atmosphere in the
House of Commons is “very adversarial, and there's no need for it.”
“The entire system has broken down. Instead of what's good for the
people, (all that counts) is what's good for the party leaders.”
Clouthier said that as an Independent, he would work with members of
all parties to do what's right for residents of
Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke.
“I refuse to be part of that game (party politics) any longer,” he said.
“That's not good enough, ladies and gentlemen.”
New Democratic Party candidate Eric Burton said that what he would
bring to Parliament personally is “drive.”
“I will work with you, my constituents, and with (NDP) members to make
sure we're working on goals and solutions to the issues that matter to
you,” he said.
Burton said, for example, that he would work with staff at the Chalk
River Labs to bring about an “employee-led” restructuring of AECL.
Burton said he has been inspired by NDP leader Jack Layton, who has
demonstrated “honesty and integrity” on the campaign trail.
“I hope to follow in his footsteps,” Burton said.
Gallant said the atmosphere in Parliament is not nearly as bad as it
appears on TV.
“What you see in Question Period is showtime,” she said.
Most of the real work on Parliament Hill is done in committee, she
added, and that's why the minority Conservative government has still
been able to get bills passed on many issues.
Gallant cited the House of Commons committee for natural resources,
which includes responsibility for AECL.
Gallant noted that she had invited committee members to visit Chalk
River last year on a very informative trip.
“That committee is one that works well for the best interests of all
Canadians.”
Liberal candidate Christine Tabbert said she also admired Broadbent,
and that while she may be a lawyer in civil litigation, the reality is
that 90 per cent of civil law cases are settled before they reach court.
“At the end of the day, we're all human beings and we need to work
together to find solutions,” she said.
In the same spirit of cooperation, each of the candidates was asked, if
they could not vote for themselves in this election, who would they
vote for instead and why?
The question prompted both the lightest and most unruly moments of the
meeting.
Van Schie said that she would have a difficult time choosing just one
of the other candidates.
“I think the Green Party is attractive to all voters across the
(political) spectrum,” she said.
“In my heart, I think we're all Green - we just haven't made an effort
to vote that way.”
Clouthier said he would have a hard time voting for any party
candidate, where everything is directed out of the party leader's
office.
“Look, three-quarters of the time the government is in contempt (of
Parliament),” he said.
“I know - I've been there.
“Who would I vote for? I'd vote for you, the constituents.”
Burton was more succinct, earning both a chuckle and applause from the
audience.
“Hec Clouthier,” he said.
The atmosphere turned for Gallant's answer, however, as she ducked the
question, talking instead about the Conservative record as a minority
government.
Audience members became restless, with several shouts of “Answer the
question.”
Meeting moderator Patti Kinghorn stepped in following Gallant's time to
chide the audience for its behaviour.
Kinghorn said people were free to ask any question they liked, but when
candidates had the microphone to answer, it was up to them how to
respond.
“You can make judgements about their answers, but once they have the
mic, that's their time,” she said.
As the last to respond, Tabbert gave a double answer, choosing “Eric
Burton” at first, but then falling back on party loyalty.
“On a more serious note, if I were not running, I would assume there
would be another Liberal candidate, and I would vote for him or her,”
she said.
Tax cuts
On economic issues, audience member Denise Walker noted that Canada's
gross domestic product has doubled over the past 30 years, while the
average family's after-tax income has stayed pretty much the same.
“Do you think that's fair, and if not, what do you intend to do about
it?” she asked.
Burton said that no, he didn't think it was fair.
“It's one of the most important issues we need to address in this
election,” he said.
“Instead of huge corporate tax cuts,” the NDP would put its priority on
issues that matter to communities, including support for small business.
Burton said the NDP would cut the tax rate for small business from 11
to nine per cent and provide an incentive of $4,500 for every new
employee hired.
“This is a job creation strategy that's aimed at the heart of the
community,” he said.
Gallant cited the Conservative record of paying down $28 billion of
national debt since coming to power in 2006.
That left Canada in a better position than most countries to weather
the worldwide financial crisis that hit in 2008.
Gallant said the government expects to return to balanced budgets in
three years, and that would allow the Conservatives to build on their
record of cutting taxes 120 times since being elected.
“We believe the best way for Canadians to get ahead is to let them keep
more of their own money,” she said.
Tabbert agreed with Burton that the lack of growth in family income is
not fair, “and that's why Liberals are fighting for families in this
election.”
Tabbert said she hears from people all the time that their family is
having trouble paying their bills.
She said the Liberal “Family Pack” would address many of the things
that people are most concerned about - retirement security, health care
and adequate child care among them.
“We need to take some of the burden off families,” she said.
Van Schie said the Green Party would do things differently.
“We need to renew our commitment to fairness for all Canadians,” she
said.
“Instead of corporate tax cuts, we have to increase not only taxes but
reduce subsidies.”
Clouthier had a different take on the question, however, saying the
answers from the other candidates were “exactly why I'm running as an
Independent.”
“Ladies and gentlemen, you've just heard policy number one, two, three
and four,” he said.
All parties produce an election platform and give their candidates
“talking points,” but as soon as the election is over, “they throw the
book in the corner and watch it collect dust.”
“Does anyone remember the original Red Book (Liberal platform from
1993) and how they were going to get rid of the GST?” he said.
Clouthier said the Conservatives like to boast about their fiscal
management, but a recent Fraser Institute study showed that in the
three years from 2008-11, Canadian corporations increased their
reserves by $83 billion while the country struggled with record
deficits.
“That's fiscal management? I don't think so.”
...continued
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