Federal debate participants (left to right), Ginette Petitpas Taylor (Liberal), Sylvie Godin-Charest (Conservative), Stephen Driver (People's Party), Claire Kelly (Green), Luke MacLaren (NDP)
Five of seven candidates running in Moncton-Riverview-Dieppe in the upcoming federal election debated several issues Tuesday night including homelessness and affordable housing.
Incumbent Liberal candidate Ginette Petitpas Taylor noted how Ottawa signed a bilateral housing agreement with New Brunswick in 2018.
“Through a part of that agreement, over $300 million dollars has been provided to the province of New Brunswick. Out of that money as well, we certainly recognize that a lot more work needs to be done and it is the beginning.”
The Green Party’s Claire Kelly was on the same page as the other candidates and said housing should be a non-partisan issue.
“We should implement a minister of housing because this is a crisis all across Canada.”
Conservative candidate Sylvie Godin-Charest said public safety has been one of the major topics when she has been knocking on doors.
“People are scared to be in their own homes in the West End. People are scared to walk their dogs in the trails. People are afraid to let their children play in the park near Victoria Park.”
Immigration also became a hot topic among the candidates as the Green’s Claire Kelly called out the People’s Party and its rhetoric – notably using the term mass immigration.
People’s Party candidate Stephen Driver says his party supports sustainable immigration.
“My wife and I personally sponsored 12 Syrian refugees. We brought them to Canada a year and a half ago – six children, two sets of parents and a grandfather and grandmother – 12. They have settled very well and opened up their own business and are actually employing Canadians now.”
The candidates also spoke about small businesses and their importance to Greater Moncton.
NDP candidate Luke MacLaren says his party wants to hold the line on small business taxes and says the NDP’s national pharmacare plan will save money for employees.
“That will mean saving $600 per year, per employee, for each company.”
The Conservative’s Godin-Charest feels taxes along with red tape need to be reduced for small businesses.
“Also make it easier for people to want to do business here. I don’t know any businessperson that was not affected by the Bill Morneau (finance minister) changes.”
The almost 90 minute face off was held at the Dieppe Arts and Cultural Centre.
The debate excluded candidates from the Christian Heritage Party and the Animal Protection Party since federal debate rules were chosen by the host, the Chamber of Commerce for Greater Moncton, in partnership with Greater Moncton Realtors and Rogers TV.
