Candidates squared off primarily on agricultural issues on May 17 at Eramosa Public School, seeking to become the next MPP for Wellington-Halton Hills.
On stage were candidates Ted Arnott PC (incumbent), Diane Ballantyne (NDP), Jon Hurst (Liberal) and Dave Rodgers (Green Party). Absent was Jadon Pfeiffer of the Libertarian Party.
Janet Harrop, current president of the Wellington Federation of Agriculture, moderated the meeting.
Hosted by the Wellington and Halton federations of agriculture and supported by the Centre Wellington Chamber of Commerce, the primary focus of the night was agriculture, though discussion also touched on other areas.
It was close to a full house as roughly 70 people packed the school gym.
During opening statements, Arnott suggested whether or not those in the audience were directly involved in agriculture, they likely have family members who farm or know someone who does.
“In our province, we have some of the best farmers in the whole world … the smartest, most innovative, productive and visionary,” said Arnott. At the same time, while vast improvements have led to greater productivity, he noted there are now fewer farmers.
Arnott said during his 28 years in the legislature, “It has always been my firm belief that as a rural MPP, we need to be prepared to go to battle at Queen’s Park for our farm families.”
Hurst, born and raised in Acton, lost his wife to cancer and in 2003, while searching for a new purpose, ran for Halton Hills council, on which he continues to serve (he is on a leave of absence for this campaign.
For many years, Hurst served on the health care board overseeing the local hospital. “I like projects which make our community better and bring out the best in people,” he said.
He told the crowd, “I am not running against Mr. Arnott, I am running against the policies of Doug Ford, whom the Conservative party chose as their leader.”
Hurst said he believes Ford “cannot be trusted to protect the Greenbelt, agriculture or other protected public plans.”
Diane Ballantyne mentioned Tommy Douglas, who was able to bring universal health care to Canadians, and said that vision of a better future for all needs to be sustained, not underfunded or dismantled by greed.
She said for the past 15 years, Ontario’s Liberal government has violated charter and labour rights, mismanaged education funding, continued to allow water to be bottled in plastic and sold off half of one of the greatest utilities ever created – resulting in increased hydro costs.
“Enough is enough,” she said.
Ballantyne added “there is no reason to trust the PCs with its leadership plagued by inner turmoil and extremists.”
Dave Rodgers said as a Green Party candidate he offers a choice outside of the three main parties.
“It offers realistic approaches to the issues,” he said of his party.
He said everyone is concerned with the cost of hydro,” adding Ontario will save over $1-million per year by closing the Pickering nuclear power plant as scheduled.
Rodgers added the Green Party aims to change the focus of health services – to preventing illness, rather than treatment after the fact.
He said the Green Party will introduce legislation to protect Ontario’s prime farmland and manage water as a public trust.
QUESTIONS
What can be done to make agriculture and rural areas more competitive?
Arnott stated Ontario would do well to adopt the Federation of Agriculture’s Prosperity in Ontario agenda.
He also spoke of the advisory council report on economic growth, “which had some terrific ideas on improving productivity and competitiveness in the agricultural sector.”
Arnott noted during the first day in the legislature after being re-elected in 2014, he posed a letter to the premier elect on the issues of improving high speed internet in rural communities.
After continued efforts, Arnott said the government did respond, “But obviously more needs to be done.”
Ballantyne said the NDP has committed to an investment of $1-billion over 10 years in broadband internet service to rural and northern Ontario.
She said there is also a commitment to stop rural cuts and closures of rural schools. Plans also include reducing rural hydro costs by 30%.
Hurst said Ontario’s agri-food sector is recognized as an economic powerhouse that supports over 800,000 jobs across the province.
He spoke of provincial initiatives to help promote and celebrate local food.
“We know that infrastructure is also important and (we’re) ready to incur a small deficit to address local infrastructure needs,” said Hurst.
Rodgers said the Green Party supports the broadband initiative, as, “Bringing rural areas into the 21st century is essential.”
As to infrastructure, he said more considerations needs to be given for rural transportation such as buses and ride sharing.
The deterioration of roads and bridges has not changed under the current government, Rodgers said.
He said there are roads where he lives which cannot be repaired for three to four years and, “That is unacceptable.” He also believes rural areas need better access to natural gas.
What can be done to bring the rural voice to caucus?
Ballantyne said the NDP policy is “to have people at the centre of every decision.”
She said the NDP understands infrastructure funding for rural municipalities has continued to be cut over the past decade.
“The NDP understands working with farmers is not a one-size-fits-all approach.”
She said there are a variety of needs, from family to corporate farms to supporting and encouraging young people into agriculture.
Hurst said in this riding Liberals understand the needs of rural versus urban services. He said the government has shown its commitment with policies protecting farming communities.
Rodgers said the Green Party has promised to protect prime farmland and, “With this protection, hopefully farm prices will stabilize.”
The critical issue, Rodgers said, is finding ways to encourage young people to stay in farming.
Arnott said he believes the question was about whether or not provincial policies and funding formulas disproportionately favour rural or urban areas.
“I would suggest the rural areas of the province had received the short shrift from the Liberal government in the last 15 years,” said Arnott.
“One of my most important connections with the community are local municipal councils. I advocated for them when they bring issues to my attention and help as I can.”
He noted the fight to re-establish the Connecting Link program and said the government finally admitted a mistake in its scrapping of the program.
“Looking forward, there will continue to be infrastructure needs in our municipalities. If I am re-elected, I will continue the fight to ensure our projects are funded.”
Do you support high speed rail lines through this riding?
Hurst asked if this meant Go Transit or something else.
The reference was in regard to a proposed high speed rail line between Toronto and London.
Hurst said, “At some point I knew I would be caught with a question I could not answer and will not answer.”
He clarified he requires more time to get up to speed on the issue before responding.
Rodgers said the issue with high speed rail is that the highest speed rail requires elevated tracks.
Such construction would isolate sections of farmland.
Rodgers added if consideration was given to one category lower of high speed rail, it could utilize existing tracks – “That would be the approach I would take.”
Arnott said that in 2014 the government committed to consideration of high speed rail.
“I think this proposal will never be built in our lifetime. It would have an astronomical cost and the tens of millions of dollars required to build this could be better spent on other agricultural and infrastructure needs.”
Arnott remained skeptical about the proposal and highly doubtful it would be realized.
Ballantyne said the NDP has a history of consultation and listening to concerns.
At the same time, Ballantyne said, “Reducing our carbon footprint is essential. Mass transit helps to do that.” She added the impact to farmland also needs to be considered.
Do you support a Greenbelt expansion?
Rodgers is definitely a supporter of the Greenbelt, but recognized there are problems associated with its expansion.
As a result of talks with Puslinch councillor Matthew Bulmer, Rodgers said one of the impacts is that small agricultural operations cannot build a second dwelling to accommodate help on the farm.
While he agreed there are issues, they are solvable.
Arnott said Doug Ford has stated unequivocally he is not going to change the Greenbelt from its current boundaries.
Regarding expansion, Arnott believed local municipalities should have control over local land planning matters in consultation with local residents.
Arnott said the position of many local municipal representatives within the riding is that there are sufficient policies and guidelines already in place – “As such, I do not favour Greenbelt expansion at this time.”
He suggested Liberal pronouncements about expanding the Greenbelt were politically motivated.
Ballantyne said the NDP position is to strengthen the Greenbelt by protecting prime farmland from speculators.
“They do not have a plan to expand the Greenbelt at this time, only to protect what is currently there.”
Hurst admitted there is a mixed reaction to the potential of growing the Greenbelt in this riding.
He said some believe the expansion does not go far enough, while others believe expansion is too restrictive – for growth and agriculture.
Would you be willing to slow down/defer the next increase set for the minimum wage hike to help small businesses adjust?
Rodgers said the Green Party supports the increase to the minimum wage. However, a Green initiative would be an increase in the amount of health care exemptions.
Arnott said he voted against Bill 148 in the legislature “because I believe it increased the minimum wage too fast and that our small businesses could not afford it.”
He said for many workers the dramatic increase resulted in either layoffs or reduced hours.
“I believe minimum wage needs to be set at a level that is fair to workers, but also affordable for employers and competitive with surrounding jurisdictions.”
Arnott said he believes there should also be annual reviews considering the rate of inflation and the cost of living. He concluded, “Small business creates the majority of our jobs … and we should never, ever dismiss their concerns.”
Ballantyne agreed Bill 148 was implemented really quickly and had a dramatic effect on small businesses.
“However, the fundamental platform of the NDP is to ensure people can to earn a living wage so that they can provide a decent life for their children.”
She said the poverty rate in Ontario has grown over the past 20 years, which is “absolutely shameful and unacceptable.”
Ballantyne said the NDP does support the $15/hour minimum wage implementation.
Hurst said the minimum wage increase “speaks to our values as Liberals.” He said it is about being properly paid for a day’s work.
“We know embracing the minimum wage increase had caused concern on its impact to local businesses,” Hurst said.
But, “At the end of the day it is something we felt had to be protected.”
