Four of the five candidates running in the federal Wild Rose riding discussed a host of topics during a two hour forum in Airdrie on Thursday, including their respective plans and proposals for the national economy, government accountability and environmental protection.
The candidates in the riding are incumbent Conservative Blake Richards, Liberal John Reilly, NDP challenger Jeff Horvath and Green Party challenger Mike MacDonald. The riding includes Didsbury, Carstairs, Olds, Sundre and Cremona.
Blake Richards told audience members that voting for anyone other than the Conservatives would have the “potential to jeopardize Canada's fragile economic recovery just as we are entering the home stretch.”
“The stakes in this election are high and a very clear choice lies ahead. It's a choice between a stable national government with a proven leader, Prime Minister Stephen Harper, or a chaotic coalition lead by Michael Ignatieff (Liberal leader) that would see Quebec separatists deciding the direction this country will take,” said Richards.
“It is a choice between a conservative, low tax plan for job growth to kept the fragile economy rolling or a gang of tax hikers who will engage in expensive, permanent new spending that threatens Canada's return to prosperity.
“Our party stands alone in setting a firm deadline for a return to balanced books. Our low tax plan for jobs and growth is the right way forward in these challenging times.”
Saying a Conservative majority government would be a threat to Canadian democracy, Liberal candidate Reilly said his party would spend more on social programs.
“I say this is the most important election Canada has ever had because the contempt of Parliament by our past government is a serious affront to democracy and I believe if they are elected with a majority, democracy as we know it will be severely damaged,” said Reilly.
“I believe the policies of the Harper Conservatives are a recipe for social disaster and that they will cost so much that out great-grandchildren will still be paying for them. I believe the choice in this election is between a government that will spend billions on planes, prisons and corporate tax cuts and a government that will spend money on people.
“This Conservative government wants to tell Canadians that they are going to govern and we are going to pass legislation and we are not going to tell you how much it is going to cost. This is the Canada Stephen Harper and Blake Richards will give you.”
Saying he is “concerned about the direction our country is heading,” NDP candidate Jeff Horvath said his party represents a viable alternative to another Conservative government.
“We've given Stephen Harper five years,” said Horvath. “He came in saying, ‘I'm going to clean up Ottawa with transparency and accountability and we are not there. We have one of the most secretive governments that is threatening democracy and I'm here to take a stand against that.
“I think it is important to provide a positive alternative to what we have with Blake Richards and the Conservatives. We sent them five years ago to clean up Ottawa and they made it worse.”
Calling his party a new alternative to the traditional parties, Green Party Candidate Mike MacDonald said if elected he would work for more accountability in government.
“I have become concerned about what I see as a lack of democracy and a lack of vision in Ottawa,” said MacDonald. “Staying the course to me is a poor option. The course that we were on led to the global collapse in 2008. We need to move to a new smart economy that can continue to function for the long term and take into account the social and environmental needs that we have.
“I think you have to ask yourself if you are looking for something different, do you want something different? Are you happy with what you've seen in Ottawa? If you want something different you have to vote for something different.
“The Green Party is an up-and-coming party with ideas that will steer Canada in a new direction. There are no simple solutions to complex problems. We have to address the roots of our fiscal, social and environmental concerns.”
During the forum, candidates answered questions from the floor and written questions from audience members. Some of their responses are as follows:
• Asked if he would support drug injection sites, Reilly, Horvath and MacDonald said yes and Richards said no.
• All four candidates said if elected they would work to ensure transparency and accountability in government. Horvath, MacDonald and Reilly said the past Conservative government lacked accountability; Richards said it was accountable and transparent.
• All four candidates said the government should do more to protect pension plans.
• All four candidates said if elected they would work to protect Canada's northern sovereignty.
• Asked if he would reinstate the mandatory long form census, Reilly, MacDonald and Horvath said yes. Richards says the new voluntary long form census is better because it doesn't put people at risk of criminal sanction.
• Asked if he would abolish the Senate, Horvath and MacDonald said yes, Reilly said the Liberal policy is to retain the Upper House, and Richards said he would like to see senators elected.
• All four candidates said the justice system should do whatever is needed to protect young people from pedophiles.
Christian Heritage Wild Rose candidate Randy Van Den Broek did not attend the Airdrie forum.
