Candidates under fire during Caledon East debate
By ALAN LICZYK Staff Reporter

The provincial candidates in the riding of Dufferin- Caledon endured heckling from some audience members as they answered written questions posed by the Caledon Chamber of Commerce and Peel Federation of Agriculture during last Tuesday night's debate at the Caledon Community Complex in Caledon East.

Liberal candidate Betsy Hall, Sylvia Jones of the Progressive Conservative party and Rob Strang of the Green party were on hand, but New Democratic Party candidate Lynda McDougall sent her regrets due to illness.

The first question, directed to Jones, asked if her government will undertake an examination of farmland assessment with a specific focus on valueadded farm production and farm product storage.

She replied the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation has been assessing farms on new pieces added.

"Were going to remove that," she said. "We're not going to tax you."

Strang said it's a ridiculous property tax assessment system brought in by the previous Progressive Conservative government. He added it discourages farmers.

Hall agreed the process is disadvantaging. She said the Liberals will review all taxing of farms.

Jones was also asked what the issues were facing businesses in Caledon.

Jones responded transportation infrastructure was an important issue. She vowed every dollar collected from the fuel and gas tax will be reinvested in transportation projects.

Strang said the high Canadian dollar is a challenge for businesses, especially farming. He pointed out the advantage of a high dollar is buying power.

Hall said the Liberals will reduce business taxes and the capital tax. She added they need solutions to Regional Road 50 even though it's not a provincial highway anymore.

Strang argued more highways brings congestion.

"Building highways in the long term has never worked," he said.

Strang was asked what private member's bill he would introduce if elected.

He replied he would introduce a Ontario Accountability Act which will prohibit campaign donations from developers to provincial and municipal politicians. He noted this has been done federally.

"It has to be made illegal," he said.

"I have no problem playing hardball with someone who gave me money," Hall commented.

"It's a matter of influence," Strang rebutted. "It shouldn't exist if you're representing the public."

Hall was asked if there's a fiscal gap between the federal and provincial governments that negatively affects Ontario and how she would narrow that gap.

She replied the Liberals have launched a $23-billion gap campaign against the federal government.

Jones noted the provincial Liberals are sitting on a $2.3 billion surplus it doesn't need and shouldn't have collected from taxpayers in the first place.

Strang was asked if people are overgoverned.

He said the Greens are a small government party, and agreed they are overgoverned.

Jones concurred they are overregulated. She added they need to look at the regulations and determine what their point is.

Hall responded the paperwork for farmers is too complicated. She vowed not a single regulation will be added without removing an old one.