WELLINGTON-HALTON HILLS – 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 series.
Michael Chong, Conservative Party of Canada
- If elected, will your party commit to balancing the budget? When?
Conservatives believe the federal government should live within its means. That’s why a new Conservative government would balance the budget within five years. Conservatives believe we can achieve this budget balance without spending cuts. By better controlling the growth in government spending, we can achieve this budget balance through the growth of nominal GDP. Our entire platform has been costed by the Parliamentary Budget Officer.
- How can the federal government improve funding programs for municipalities to help them deal with infrastructure renewal/replacement?
Conservatives believe in working with our provinces and municipalities to renew our nation’s roads, bridges, water and wastewater systems, and public transit. A Conservative government will apply a municipal lens to infrastructure and decentralize the current system so municipalities have more control over local projects. Canadians deserve a government that will work with the provinces and municipalities to ensure infrastructure projects are delivered on time and on budget. Our approach to infrastructure is not about which political party can announce the most dollars, but instead about actually getting infrastructure built.
- Should the federal government do more to help improve internet access in rural communities?
High-speed internet isn’t a luxury. It’s essential in our modern, digital economy. Unfortunately, there are many rural residents and farms in Wellington County that don’t have access to affordable, high-speed internet. The federal government needs to do a better job of rolling out high-speed internet for underserviced areas. They also need to direct the CRTC to ensure that this rural high-speed internet is affordable. I continue to raise these concerns in Ottawa, most recently in a Standing Committee of the House of Commons. While things are moving in the right direction and service is improving, more needs to be done.
Ralph Martin, Green Party of Canada
- If elected, will your party commit to balancing the budget? When?
Yes, the Green party commits to balancing the budget within five years. Just as the next generations do not need an environment that is overspent, they do not need to inherit a treasury that is overspent. I am personally committed to fiscal responsibility. Our Green Party platform has been fully costed by the Parliamentary Budget Officer.
- How can the federal government improve funding programs for municipalities to help them deal with infrastructure renewal/replacement?
The federal government has a key role in supporting communities and I strongly believe in local communities leading the way. I support significant and long-term direction by the communities where the development will be built. Coming to the table as a partner, along with municipalities and the province, is a tested and successful model. The Green Party will make new/existing housing eligible for funding purposes, allowing the Canada Infrastructure Bank to support provincial and municipal housing projects. We will give municipalities a seat at the policy-making table through the Council of Canadian Governments.
- Should the federal government do more to help improve internet access in rural communities?
Yes the federal government should work with, and provide funding to, rural communities to ensure that internet access is affordable and accessible. If it can be done in rural Africa it should also be possible here. The Green Party will immediately establish banking services and public high-speed internet access in post offices, particularly in under-serviced rural and remote communities without banks and libraries. We also propose to amend CRTC regulations to increase competition in the provision of cellular and internet services to consumers in order to bring prices down.
Lesley Barron, Liberal Party
- If elected, will your party commit to balancing the budget? When?
Debt-wise, Canada is actually in good shape. In the last fiscal year, the deficit was about $5 billion lower than the previous year, revenues keep growing faster than spending, debt service charges were only 6.7 per cent of expenses (it was almost 30% in the mid-90s), and our debt-to-GDP ratio fell once again, to 30.9%, one of the best in the G7. We are gradually returning to balance, but we have to do it responsibly, without harming citizens. I’m looking at how healthy our economy is, and I don’t think there’s any call for slash-and-burn austerity.
- How can the federal government improve funding programs for municipalities to help them deal with infrastructure renewal/replacement?
The Liberal government has a very good relationship with the Federation of Canadian Municipalities and has been aware of the significant need for infrastructure renewal/replacement – roads, bridges and water systems. Typically, this involves a partnership among all levels of government. However, some provinces such as Ontario were slow to establish priorities and so in the 2019 budget, the annual Gas Tax Fund to municipalities was doubled. This was a one-time measure to move stalled projects forward. FCM also manages some funds that target specific municipal initiatives, without requiring provincial involvement.
- Should the federal government do more to help improve internet access in rural communities?
Broadband internet isn’t a luxury anymore, and two-speed internet access leads to a two-speed economy between cities and rural communities. The Liberal government’s $500-million Csonnect to Innovate Program has approved some 180 projects since 2016, in partnership with the private sector. The 2019 budget committed up to $6 billion in new programs over the next 10 years, ranging from private-sector incentives to securing new satellite space. It also includes a new $1.7-billion Universal Broadband Fund to extend the network’s “backbone” to underserved communities. We aim to enable every Canadian household to access 50/10 Mbps speeds by 2030.
Andrew Bascombe, New Democratic Party
- If elected, will your party commit to balancing the budget? When?
New Democrats will ensure that our debt-to-GDP ratio falls over the next 10-year fiscal horizon, our new deal will make new investments in the Canadian people each and every year. New Democrats will make these investments to make life more affordable for Canadian families who are struggling to get ahead and improve the services we all count on. In all cases, we will manage debt and deficits responsibly, borrowing when required to defend the services that Canadians and their families rely on, and moving to balance when prudent.
- How can the federal government improve funding programs for municipalities to help them deal with infrastructure renewal/replacement?
Our vision is one where communities can afford to build the infrastructure they need to thrive, from roads and bridges to community centres and child care centres and everything in between. By using Community Benefit Agreements, we will guarantee that good jobs, training, apprenticeships, and support for local businesses are part infrastructure funding that puts people – not profit – first.
- Should the federal government do more to help improve internet access in rural communities?
Without question the federal government should do more to help improve internet access in rural communities. New Democrats believe that no matter where you live in Canada, you should be able to stay connected. I think it is shameful that in Canada today this is even an issue. We have the means to do it and it needs to be done.
Sylvain Carle, People’s Party of Canada
- If elected, will your party commit to balancing the budget? When?
Our platform commits to balancing the budget in two years. In only two years between 1995 and 1997, the Chretien/Martin Liberal government eliminated a $30B deficit (equivalent to $43B in today’s dollars). Scheer’s Conservatives are even less fiscally responsible than Liberals of old and the Trudeau Liberals have no plans to trim the deficit. We think that with sound fiscal management of the budget no cuts to services will be necessary, in fact, as we spend less on interest, we will be able to better fund our exiting program and expand coverage for all Canadians.
- How can the federal government improve funding programs for municipalities to help them deal with infrastructure renewal/replacement?
Municipalities fall under the jurisdiction of the provinces. Like healthcare, municipalities require a permanent source of funding. While we will respect the sole jurisdiction of the provinces in the matter, we will explore ways to provide this permanent source of funding. In that spirit, our Indigenous peoples require similar infrastructure funding.
- Should the federal government do more to help improve internet access in rural communities?
The Canadian Radio television and Telecommunication Commission (CRTC) mandate has not served Canadians well in the last decade. Canadians pay some of the highest telecommunications rates in the world. For too long, the CRTC has been stifling competition and innovation in the sector. Canada has a strong and mature telecommunications sector, and it doesn’t need to be coddled by government bureaucracy making fake competition. This is unacceptable. The CRTC needs to get out of the telecom industry, and foreign competition needs to be allowed. More competition is the right plan for Canada.
