Candidates go at it in all-candidates' debate

The candidates seeking to represent Dufferin — Caledon in Ottawa after the Oct. 14 federal election squared off last night (Wednesday) in an allcandidates' debate.

The following is a synopsis of their opening remarks, with which the candidates furnished the Citizen.

In his bid for a return to Ottawa as MP, Conservative incumbent David Tilson described his government as one that has set out clear policies and has delivered on commitments. He also said the election was "a clear choice between strong leadership and building on the gains we've made or going backwards to weak leadership, uncertainty, and inexperience."

He took aim at the Liberal plan of a carbon tax, calling it "a sweeping new tax" that's meant to "pay for spending promises our country can't afford and at the worst possible time."

Tilson reviewed the record of his party, and laid out a future agenda that appeared to be aimed largely at the needs of average families, small businesses and senior citizens, among others.

For the Green party, Ard Van Leeuwen was critical of the Conservative performance, and said it has "no intention to reduce Canada's vulnerability to surges in energy prices."

"We know they don't think it matters that some regions in Canada prosper while others struggle," he added. "We know they have no plan to keep Canada globally competitive by beginning a drive to green our economy. We know they have no comments about how to minimize Canadian exposure to the ripple effects of the massive US financial crises."

Van Leeuwen said Green is all about "the massive economic development required to take us into the future, to build a new industry in renewable energy. We need to build new rail and public transportation capacity," he said.

"The Stone Age did not end because we ran out of stones," he said. "We just found a better way to do things. The Green Party is all about finding better ways to do things."

The opening statement of Dean Woods of the Canadian Action party focused on the party's four main points.

They include having Canada returning to use the Bank of Canada, which he said would result in savings to the taxpayers amounting to $20 billion annually.

He also said the party is committed to getting Canada out of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). Woods said the agreement has cost Canada hundreds of thousands of jobs to foreign countries. "This agreement was brought in for the corporation to make money," he stated, "not for the Canadian taxpayer."

As well, he commented on the dangers to Canadian sovereignty if some form of Security and Prosperity Partnership (SPP) or North American Union comes into affect in 2010. Woods stressed that this needs to be debated and voted on in the House of Commons. He added Canada is not a dictatorship and this is not something the prime minister should decide on his own.

Woods also commented on the war in Afghanistan, which he stated has cost Canadians close to $8 billion. "We want our troops home now and out of harm's way," he declared, adding Canada should return to peace keeping initiatives and focus on protection of our borders and coastal waters.

New Democrat Jason Bissett, gearing up for his very first all-candidates' meeting, said he planned to focus on who he is, where he is and what he's about.

Bissett, who only joined the party in the last couple of months, said he had been curious who was running for the NDP. "One thing led to another," he remarked.

He also stressed his concern for certain issues, such as health care, education, infrastructure, etc.

Bissett also said he was looking forward to fielding questions while not just giving out party rhetoric. He said he believes people want to know where he stands on issues.

Liberal Rebecca Finch spoke freely in her opening statement, commenting that an election campaign is in reality a very long public job interview.

She observed that Canadians are tasked to judge the performance of each candidate and decide who would best represent them in the House of Commons.

During the campaign, Finch argued she has proven that she's up to the job, adding she has demonstrated she can keep promises. She cited her pledge to move to the riding, which she has done. She added she can "play nice" with her opponents, which she said is important because she said that in Parliament, nothing can be accomplished if the different parties cannot get along.

Finch also said she has demonstrated that she can and will stand up for what's right. She charged the Conservatives tried to smear her reputation, but stated she stood her ground and confronted it head-on, "which is precisely what I will do for each and every one of my constituents when I am in Ottawa."

"I have demonstrated a high understanding of policy and the issues that affect both my riding and the country as a whole," she added. "I am the best candidate for this job because everything I just said is true."