As candidates gathered, so did questions to separate local candidates on agricultural issues.
The April 14 meeting was sponsored and promoted by the Wellington Federation of Agriculture, the Wellington Christian Farmers, and the Waterloo-Wellington NFU (National Farmers Union).
About 60 people came to the Arthur community centre for one of the first all candidates’ meetings in the federal election campaign. Questions were written and selected by a panel to ensure they were agricultural in nature.
Moderator was Wellington County Warden Chris White.
Liberal Party
Bob McTavish, said “things run well at a municipal level because we have to plan ahead, and we cannot have a deficit.”
The Canadian parliament must operate much better than it is now, he said.
“We need to plan not just for two years, but 20 years into the future. We need to define that future so we know where it we are going.”
There are 308 MP who are elected to the government of Canada. “But to a great extent those 308 MPs, who are elected, are being ignored or prevented from working together.” He said the prime minister and sometimes cabinet rules supreme, strict party discipline, “and you can’t rock the boat.”
McTavish said MPs need more power to have the ability to work together.
“Perth Wellington is the most productive agricultural riding in Canada, and I want to ensure that farmers can earn a sustainable living and be able to pass their farm operation onto the next generation.”
He said Ontario farmers need as much consideration from the federal level as exists in Quebec and Alberta.
“I believe I can bring experienced representation to Perth Wellington.”
Christian Heritage Party
Irma DeVries offered a different perspective.
While she grew up in Mississauga, she ended up a dairy farmer. The farm also is a producer of green energy.
She said better solutions for farmers, families, and finances start with CHP Canada.
“We need solid principles, integrity, and ethics. To govern well, you must first have a solid foundation in truth. You need to know right from wrong.”
“Murder is wrong – always.”
DeVries said abortion is also wrong, and the other parties support it in their party platform. “If they can support murder, what other principles can they choose to violate for pragmatic reasons?”
DeVries said it takes integrity “to tell it like it is – and to keep your word.”
Ethics are a foundation of a just society. But, she said it seems ethics have become situational, and society increasingly lacks justice and mercy.
“A lack of ethics is an inescapable consequence of a lack of moral training. And moral training begins in the home,” DeVries said.
CHP’s first better solution, she said, is for the family.
The party is offering a $1,000 family care allowance for anyone who stays home to look after children to age 18.
She said it would be extended to those who have to look after an aged parent or disabled relative.
She said the CHP would also enshrine legal protection for the unborn – “and restore traditional marriage.”
She said the CHP program will help rebuild the infrastructure of hospitals into single patient rooms and attract top doctors and health care professionals with the top diagnostic equipment. She believes a competitive service will increase service and decrease wait times. DeVries said government debt and high taxation destroy the nation.
“We will implement zero deficit legislation, reduce red tape and corporate welfare, and pay off our national debt like a mortgage.” She said the average wage earner pays 50% of his income in some form of taxation.
“We would eliminate personal income tax. Our income is our private property. It’s a theft to demand a percentage or cut.” DeVries said it much more ethical to tax one’s spending. She said wealthy people spend more money, and, as a result, would be taxed more.
DeVries said Canada’s immigration system is broken and leaves the country vulnerable to threats.
“Islamic terrorism and immigration are global threats that are being used to impose Sharia law on Canadians.”
DeVries stated the CHP would implement an immigration moratorium from countries with Sharia-based law.
Green Party
John Cowling said, “People often ask me what makes the Green Party different. My answer is that the Green Party is the only party that is dedicated to solving problems before they occur.
“It’s also the only party that is really thinking in the long term and of what is in the best interest of your children and grandchildren.”
He said the Liberals had been in charge for 80 plus years since Confederation “and gosh, I think we’d be a whole lot closer to a utopia here, if the Liberal party always lived up to its vision.”
The Green Party has always taken the long-term approach.
“It makes us different because we always have to tell the truth about what we think is going on around us, and what we think the solutions are. We’re not the party that promises cheap food, that promises cheap gasoline, cheap coal, or cheap electricity. We don’t promise cheap taxes or lower taxes.”
But, he said, in the last election he took part in, the Green Party was the only one that increased its share of votes in Perth-Wellington.
Cowling said the same thing happened in other ridings as well.
“I think there is a group of people out there, for whom my message means something.”
Cowling said an example of the Green vision is that 20 to 25 years ago, it talked about promoting local food and farmers markets.
Conservative Party
Gary Schellenberger said, “Let me be clear; our top priority has always been the economy, and agriculture is a large part of that economy.”
When times were good, “We paid down the debt,” he said. But when times were bad, he said the government made tough decisions, and chose to invest in the infrastructure of local municipalities.
He suggested the Conservatives are now on track to eliminate the deficit one full year ahead of schedule.
“Raising taxes would not only threaten economic recovery, but would add an extra burden to working families across Perth Wellington.
He believes the proposed budget was a “responsible budget for difficult times.”
“I am saddened that the opposition parties decided to cause an unnecessary election.”
“I’m proud of the record of our government, and its support of local projects all across the riding.” He said the government met the needs of the rural community.
“I’m not here to tell you how important agriculture is to the community and the economy as a whole – you already know that. Agriculture is billions of dollars worth of industry.” He shares concerns that some programs are not working for all farmers, and he is working on ways to have those programs improved.
“I am well aware of the support of many farmers for the risk management program.”
He said while there will not be specific money from the federal government for this program, “The province of Ontario is welcome to redirect other federal funds [it receives[ for this program.”
He cited federal equalization funds the province gets.
“This money has no strings attached and would be more than enough to pay for this program many times over.”
Schellenberger said for the federal government to directly fund the program would require the agreement of several other provinces.
New Democratic Party
Ellen Papenburg lives in Drayton where she and her husband operate a computer business.
“What the NDP has in mind is creating jobs.” She said in the past 10 years, Canada has lost 600,000 jobs, “and all the corporate tax cuts have not helped.”
She said, “The NDP would like to create tax cuts for small businesses, which makes more sense, because 40% of jobs created are by small businesses.”
Papenburg said cities absolutely cannot survive without farmers. “I have a lot of farm friends, and farm customers and I hear how difficult it can be for them to survive.”
She supports programs that allow family farms to remain protected, “and have a better chance to succeed.”
On the matter of fairness, Papenburg said that families are having financial problems because of the HST because they had to pay higher costs for heat.
“We would like to take the HST off essential things one needs in life.” She said health care remains a principle of the NDP, noting that the party was instrumental in bringing it about through Tommy Douglas.
“We will always fight for health care, and also for people who cannot retire, or do not have access to doctors.” Her biggest concern is democracy itself. Originally from Holland, her parents went through the war, where the fight was for democracy and to end the occupation.
“Right now, I feel democracy is tarnished, and I’m very concerned about it.”
Papenburg wants to see the restoration of “true democracy in parliament.”
