PERTH-WELLINGTON – As part of our Federal Election coverage, we will be running a special feature over the next three weeks, asking regional candidates questions related to their party platforms. This is the third of our three part feature.
Irma DeVries – Christian Heritage Party
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If elected, will your party commit to balancing the budget? When?
We will begin immediately to balance the budget through initiatives such as: a sunset clause on all programs; zero based accounting; implementation of a Fair Tax rather than Income Tax; restoring the Bank of Canada (BOC) to its initial role and gradually refinancing through BOC at low to no interest rates. In 2016-17, our interest payments were $25B and our national deficit was $25B. CHP will begin an immediate assault on our national deficit. Any major change requires careful implementation to prevent adversely affecting our economy. We would balance the need for reductions while ensuring Canada remains financially stable.
- How can the federal government improve funding programs for municipalities to help them deal with infrastructure renewal/replacement?
Our infrastructure improvement loans would provide the rebuilt infrastructure at only the cost of doing the work – not exorbitant interest rates charged by the Chartered Banks which makes the bank’s owners rich off our tax dollars. Our candidates, if elected, would support fibre optic and natural gas to the rural farms and villages, better roads, hospitals, hospices and independent research centres and better care for veterans, disabled, seniors and the not-yet-born human beings. Through attrition, and by eliminating unnecessary spending, such as sex changes, we would find savings to serve you better in the long term.
- Should the federal government do more to help improve internet access in rural communities?
Many of us receive our news only through internet. This is where the government can provide access to news that would not affect bias in the reporting (as mentioned in question 2 in last week’s election feature). Fibre optic to every home is our goal. I oppose 5G for its known health effects on both humans and pollinators. Please do your own research on the internet on human rights, property rights, conscience rights and freedom of speech. The CHP would decrease funding to the CBC, enforce our borders, oppose globalism and defend our Canadian sovereignty.
John Nater, Conservative Party
- If elected, will your party commit to balancing the budget? When?
Runaway deficits, with no plan to balance the budget, mean future tax increases or cuts to health care and social programs. We must do better. A Conservative government will eliminate the deficit within a reasonable time frame. After four years of Liberal spending, bringing Canada back to balance will be no easy task. But it’s an effort we must begin. The previous Conservative government did far better. We eliminated the deficit and paid down debt when times were good. To help get us there, a Conservative government would review all business subsidy programs to eliminate $1.5 billion in corporate welfare.
- How can the federal government improve funding programs for municipalities to help them deal with infrastructure renewal/replacement?
Advocating for a fair share of infrastructure funding—for every community in our riding—has been among my top priorities. This will continue if I am re-elected. It starts with talking directly to local municipal officials, understanding their priorities and supporting them. Streamlining federal funding programs is also important. Municipalities should not be left guessing whether a project will be approved. If funding is available, it should be assessed, adjudicated fairly, and distributed promptly. I have always promoted formula-based funding that provides municipalities with long-term, predictable funding, such as the Federal Gas Tax Fund.
- Should the federal government do more to help improve internet access in rural communities?
If you don’t have access to high-speed internet, it’s difficult to participate fully in the economy or the community. Yet the federal government has taken no meaningful action. Much of the federal funding allocated to broadband expansion has gone to large communications conglomerates. That means improvements have gone primarily to more urban or suburban centres with larger customer bases. Yet, many rural Canadians and businesses still struggle with inadequate service. We deserve better. If re-elected, I will continue to speak up for everyone in Perth-Wellington without adequate and affordable internet access.
Collan Simmons, Green Party
- If elected, will your party commit to balancing the budget? When?
The Green Party isn’t fiscally irresponsible. We are committed to transparent and responsible fiscal policy. Our platform is currently under review by the independent Parliamentary Budget Office. While our platform does invest in the modernizing of our social safety net, healthcare and education, it also includes new revenues, including ending offshore tax dodging, closing tax loopholes that favour the already wealthy, and fairly taxing multinational corporations doing business in Canada. We know that Canadians don’t want to pass the debt on to their children, just as they don’t want to ruin the environment for them.
- How can the federal government improve funding programs for municipalities to help them deal with infrastructure renewal/replacement?
Municipal governments shoulder a lot of the costs for our everyday living. The Green Party would make changes to the Canada Infrastructure Bank to reduce interest rates on loans for infrastructure projects. We would also create transfer payments directly to municipalities, the Municipal Fund, which would be about double the current “Gas Tax” revenue, providing stable and predictable funding. This would allow for much needed local projects like zero emission public transit and improved waste management practices.
- Should the federal government do more to help improve internet access in rural communities?
The Green Party believes that internet access is extremely important. In our current age, access to the internet is synonymous with access to education and information. Rural communities need better access to fast and reasonably priced internet. As a start we are proposing that rural Canada Post offices become high-speed internet hubs, allowing public access in remote communities. Investments need to be made to build out internet infrastructure to those areas. We also believe that more competition is needed in the telecommunications sector, and we will work to break-up the near monopolies that the major companies have.
Pirie Mitchell
- If elected, will your party commit to balancing the budget? When?
Austerity and cuts won’t build a strong economy. The small deficits Canada is incurring are smart and sustainable investments in people and communities. Our net debt-to-GDP ratio is the lowest among G7 countries and is on a downward track. This low level of debt is a competitive advantage in an increasingly volatile and unpredictable world. The investments we are making in families help make life more affordable and give our kids a good start in life. Our investments in seniors help people have a dignified retirement. And our historic investments in infrastructure build communities for tomorrow.
- How can the federal government improve funding programs for municipalities to help them deal with infrastructure renewal/replacement?
n the first four years of the Liberal government, historic new investments were made in infrastructure – more than doubling existing funding. The Investing in Canada plan is based on three key objectives: create long-term economic growth; support a low-carbon, green economy; and build inclusive communities. One of the five main infrastructure priorities is rural communities like those in Wellington County. A local example is the Guelph/Wellington “Circular Food Community of the Future” initiative where researchers, social innovators, farmers, entrepreneurs and other community partners will collaborate to solve complex food problems.
- Should the federal government do more to help improve internet access in rural communities?
Yes! For small businesses looking to reach customers worldwide, seniors who want to stay in touch with family and friends, or college students who want to move home for the summer but still need to be able to take online courses or apply for work, high-speed internet is a necessity, not a luxury. In Budget 2019, the Liberal government set a national target: 95 per cent of Canadian homes and businesses will have access to internet speeds of at least 50/10 Mbps by 2026 and 100% by 2030, no matter where they are located in the country.
Geoff Krauter
- If elected, will your party commit to balancing the budget? When?
It’s time for a new fiscal approach that puts people first. Rather than austerity budgets that cut services and programs in the name of temporary balance, the NDP will take a longer term view. We will work with the Parliamentary Budget Officer to assess Canada’s fiscal stability and ensure that Canada’s debt-to-GDP ratio falls over a 10-year period.
- How can the federal government improve funding programs for municipalities to help them deal with infrastructure renewal/replacement?
The infrastructure deficit poses a serious challenge to municipalities. An NDP government will abolish the wasteful Canada Infrastructure Bank and provide reliable partnership with municipal and provincial governments to ensure communities get the public investments they need. Community Benefit Agreements between the three levels of government will ensure that infrastructure funding is spent in a timely and accountable way and that public infrastructure – roads, bridges, water systems and other utilities – remain in public hands. These projects should benefit communities first, with good jobs, apprenticeship opportunities, and support for local business as key considerations.
- Should the federal government do more to help improve internet access in rural communities?
Yes. I commend Mr. Nater for raising this critical issue in the House. There is a digital divide in this country that leaves rural communities at a persistent disadvantage. Worse, Canadians continue to pay the highest rates in the world for high-speed internet. This is unacceptable. An NDP government is committed to delivering reliable, high-speed broadband internet to every community in Canada without delay. In addition, we will require telecom providers to offer basic plans at rates comparable to those elsewhere in the world, as well as unlimited data plans. And we’ll introduce a Telecom Consumers’ Bill of Rights.
Roger Fuhr, People’s Party of Canada
- If elected, will your party commit to balancing the budget? When?
The People’s Party of Canada will balance the budget within two years. With our policies that we will be implementing, this will be easily achievable. We put Canadians first and will stop sending billions of dollars to other countries with the only exception being emergency humanitarian aid. Completely abolishing corporate welfare alone, will save us billions of dollars.
- How can the federal government improve funding programs for municipalities to help them deal with infrastructure renewal/replacement?
There are many ways to improve these programs, starting with ensuring that there are funds available in programs such as the Building Canada Fund. A quick search online is proof that funds have been fully committed or completely disbursed so there is little opportunity for municipalities to access assistance. We will ensure that funds continue to be available for these vital projects. We will invest in Canada first, rather than other nations.
- Should the federal government do more to help improve internet access in rural communities?
Yes, I do believe that getting people better connected is a worthwhile investment of tax dollars. We believe in a strong and vibrant economy, and that such an economy is beneficial to all Canadians. Improving internet access will definitely assist with that endeavour. Also, the internet is a wonderful educational tool that can help Canadians improve their daily lives.
