The newly minted Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement was among the issues sparking debate at a Perth-Wellington federal candidates meeting here on Oct. 6.
About 100 people at the event, hosted by the Alma Optimist Club, had a chance to question NDP candidate Ethan Rabidoux, Liberal Stephen McCotter, Conservative John Nater, independent Roger Fuhr and Irma DeVries of the Christian Heritage Party (CHP) on topics of their choice. Green party candidate Nicole Ramsdale did not attend.
News that the 12-country TPP had been signed, but not yet ratified by individual countries, was released on Oct. 4. Candidates at the Alma meeting were asked for their opinion on it.
“International trade is important. It always was, always will be,” said Fuhr. “I am sure a lot of dairy farmers are breathing a sigh of relief and producers of other commodities are probably at home raising a cold one.”
However, Fuhr cautioned, “the concerns of the auto sector are the largest downside … there are always winners and losers in trade agreements.”
“I’m proud our government has finalized negotiations,” said Nater, noting the TPP countries represent a combined economy of $28 trillion. “We can’t afford not to be a part of this important trade deal,” he added, noting “supply management has been protected for future generations.”
“The Christian Heritage Party would like to keep jobs in Canada and export value-added products. Not just our raw materials,” said DeVries.
“It’s great we’ll be able to send our beef and pork to other countries because we certainly don’t eat very much of it ourselves.” However, she pointed out, “We’ll have to keep working at it. There are a lot of new laws to be written.”
“The Liberal Party is a big supporter of trade,” said McCotter, who added he will be in favour of the deal, “If it’s good for farmers in Perth-Wellington.” However, he said, “I hope this isn’t the end of supply management.”
McCotter also expressed concern over the source of a promised $4.3-million fund for transition assistance for affected domestic sectors.
“I worry where that money’s going to come from … it will have to be cut from somewhere else,” he stated.
“Process matters,” said Rabidoux. “This agreement was built in secret, behind closed doors, during an election campaign.”
Rabidoux pointed out the government will now “have to spend $4.3 billion on an industry that did not require subsidization before. I’m not buying it. I’m afraid there’s going to be a lot of Kinder Surprises buried within this.”
Noting NDP leader Thomas Mulcair pledged not to ratify the deal if it didn’t hold up to scrutiny once full details are released, Rabidoux said, “We are not bound to those commitments.”
Partisan politics
Candidates were asked their thoughts on partisanship.
“On my very first day on municipal council, we had a new mayor and I was a new councillor and our mayor pointed to himself and said ‘I’m one vote,’” Nater responded.
“I take the same approach to government … We need to work together and work across party lines as much as possible to get things done for Canadians.”
“I don’t doubt Mr. Nater is a bi-partisan person,” said McCotter. “The problem is Stephen Harper isn’t. Stephen Harper is a party of one.”
McCotter pledged to “work with my fellow MPs to get Canada back on track.”
“The Christian Heritage Party is not going to form government, but if we are sitting there in the House of Commons we certainly want to work with other parties for the good of Canada,” said DeVries, who added a switch to proportional representation would give supporters of smaller parties like hers a voice in parliament.
Noting he agrees “Stephen Harper is a little authoritarian,” Rabidoux said the NDP also supports proportional representation. “It’s a system that works in many other countries and we think it will work here in Canada.”
As the only local candidate not affiliated with a party, Fuhr said, “Of course I’m looking forward to going to Ottawa and working with the other MPs in the House. I’ll likely be the one chasing you down to find out how you think on issues, rather than being told how to vote by a party leader.”
Doctor assisted suicide
Another questioner asked for candidates’ thoughts on “doctor-assisted suicide.”
“I have a lot of respect for the Supreme Court of Canada and they’ve spoken unanimously,” said McCotter, adding his party will propose a motion to change the law to match the court’s decision favouring right-to-die legislation.
Rabidoux agreed the courts have “already given instruction on this.” However, he added, “we have to move forward and construct a new law.”
Fuhr said he believes, “Too many people suffer far too long when they know it’s not what they want to do … in some ways our current situation is not very humane.”
However, he warned, “We have to be very meticulous in spelling out the regulations.”
DeVries said the CHP would invoke the Constitution’s notwithstanding clause to stop euthanasia and assisted suicide.
“We need to be compassionate to the elderly among us,” said DeVries. She also said regulatory safeguards aren’t always effective.
“In Europe those safeguards aren’t working and people are actually being euthanized against their will,” she stated.
Nater said, “I am troubled by the Supreme Court ruling on doctor-assisted suicide. I prefer to see a focus on end-of-life care, on palliative care.”
Nater added he anticipates, “a lot of challenges with drafting this potential legislation, including the idea of informed consent.”
Municipal infrastructure
Candidates were asked if their party would “continue, and ideally increase,” long-term funding for infrastructure investment for municipalities?
“Absolutely there needs to be a long-term strategy,” said Rabidoux, stating that under the current government “there’s been a trend toward government funding sexier, short-term projects.”
“I will relentlessly advocate for more infrastructure funding for Perth-Wellington,” said Fuhr.
Nater pointed to the government’s $53-billion, 10-year Building Canada fund, which he called “the longest and largest” infrastructure program “in Canadian History.” He added the government would continue to provide gas tax funds to municipalities.
“Our government made it permanent, then doubled it … that made it predictable each year,” Nater stated.
DeVries said a CHP infrastructure renewal program would offer municipalities interest-free money borrowed from the Bank of Canada.
“This will set off a building boom much like after World War Two,” she predicted.
“This is where we diverge from other parties,” said McCotter. “Their promises are contingent on balancing the budget … Oil has to go to $67 a barrel next year and $76 the year after. If it doesn’t, they are going to have to renege on their promises and cut expenses.”
McCotter said the Liberals would provide $20 million for municipal infrastructure next year. “This is money that’s going to come to Mapleton and Alma and Stratford next year and it doesn’t matter what the price of oil is.”
