The six people hoping to become the next Member of Provincial Parliament in the Bay of Quinte went head to head last night (Tuesday) in Quinte West.
The provincial election is just over two weeks away and candidates are seeking to gain enough votes to represent the region at Queen’s Park following the June 2 election.
The Quinte West Chamber of Commerce held their all-candidates night at Heroes Landing in Trenton to hear from Erica Charlton representing the Green Party of Ontario, Rob Collins of the New Blue Party, Alison Kelly for the NDP, Emilie Leneveu representing the Liberal Party, incumbent Todd Smith of the PC Party and Noah Wales representing the Ontario Party.
Paul Martin moderated the evening which touched on a variety of topics, beginning with how the pandemic affected small businesses and what each party would do going forward.
Kelly answered first in a randomly selected draw and said small businesses were hit hard, some were unable to continue to foot the bill, and noted many didn’t qualify for benefits. She said the NDP would make sure loans and grants were available to small businesses and make sure they have what they need, along with affordable insurance.
Smith said his government didn’t know what they were dealing with when the pandemic began and they rushed to get assistance out. He said the current PC government never wants to get caught in that position again and they are far better prepared now than two years ago.
Green Party representative Charlton said the people need leadership and it comes from up top. She said the government needs to take money away from big business, allow opportunity for small business to thrive and create places where businesses can afford rent.
Leneveu said in the past year small businesses haven’t been able to thrive, and they have been hit hard by the lack of affordability. The Liberal candidate said the current government made it so residents spent weeks and months only being able to support big box stores, and micro-businesses didn’t get the support from the Ontario government they needed.
Collins of the New Blue Party said his party will focus on getting our economy back in the good shape it was before the pandemic. To improve the situation he proposed they cut HST by three precent to provide some relief in day to day purchases.
Wales said it was unfair that people were unable to work because of mandates, making it tough for families to provide. He said his Ontario Party would bring people back into work by removing the mandates which took employees away from their jobs.
The candidates also discussed the labour shortage, the lack of skilled trades workers and a topic top of mind to many today; rising inflation.
Charlton said the Green Party of Ontario would start by offering affordable housing and transit, while prioritizing local farmers and industry. She said if elected, her party would give local businesses an ability to step up and there are lots of costs they can help with, but by prioritizing Canadian businesses first, residents can afford the lives they want to live.
Leveneu said her party has a balanced costed plan. They want to offer a $1 a ride transit fare which will help make life more affordable for many across the province, including here in the Bay of Quinte. She also said the Liberals would remove the provincial portion of HST, which is eight per cent, keeping it in the pockets of Ontarians.
Collins told those in the audience that inflation is an issue bigger than the province, and federal spending has had a lot to do with it. He said the New Blue Party would offset that pain by addressing taxes and taking three per cent off HST and reduce the taxes on gasoline.
Wales stated inflation is a big problem and the Ontario Party would bring down inflation through limiting foreign purchasing as well as bring down gas taxes.
Kelly said the NDP would immediately raise ODSP by 20%. She said they would also include mental health, dental care and pharmacare under OHIP as well as restarting the basic income pilot.
Smith said his party has said they would lower the price of gas by five cents temporarily and the PC Party is the only party that doesn’t support increasing carbon tax.
Other topics covered including lack of housing, health care, dealing with short term accommodations, conservation authority funding, child care, education, climate change and infrastructure renewal.
The candidates will face off again on Thursday night at the Empire Theatre when the Belleville Chamber of Commerce hosts their all candidates night.
To read more about the Green Party of Ontario, click here.
To read more about the Liberal Party, click here.
To read more about the NDP, click here.
To read more about the New Blue Party, click here.
To read more about the Ontario Party, click here.
To read more about the PC Party, click here.
