An Excerpt of this Article appeared in the April 28 Issue of the Interlake Spectator and in the Stonewall Argus/Teulon Times…
Putting Their Best Foot forward
Moderator, Reg Perry lay out the ground rules for both the candidates and the public. Candidates were allotted five minutes for opening statements, two minutes each for general and direct questions, and three minutes for closing statements. The public was asked to refrain from heckling, inappropriate language or remarks, and be respectful. The time was kept by Dennis Laing. Speaking order was determined by draw.
Incumbent, James Bezan, competing for a seat for the fourth time in seven years, talked about the challenge involved in being a candidate, the juggling it requires, and his enjoyment of finding out people’s views, which he stated helps to keep him grounded. Throughout the debate, Bezan focussed on flawlessly relaying the Progressive Conservative point of view.
Sean Palsson, NDP candidate, grew up in Arborg. “This community helped me to form my values. This is a strong, safe community,” he said. He summarized the New Democrat’s position on families, credit card debt, and subsidies to “polluters”, and the party’s main criticisms against the ruling Conservatives.
Liberal Candidate, Duncan Geisler, a farmer and lawyer from Ashern, said that his main reason for running is “democracy”. His discussions were ripe with humour and wit. He urged voters to carefully analyze each party’s policies. “Vote for the candidate, vote for the policy, and vote for the leader,” he said.
The Green Party’s Don Winstone, a retired chartered accountant now living in along Lake Winnipeg, lay out his credentials. Winstone, a founding member of the Lake Winnipeg Foundation, said he is inspired by the leadership of Elizabeth May and believes that his party’s policies, which are based on sustainability, are sound and fiscally responsible. “The Canadian Federation of Municipalities applauds the Green Party,” he said. “If you elect me, I promise to be open, true, respectful, and accountable.”
Suzy Eyolfson, Les Dreiger, and Katie Jones, Chamber of Commerce members, comprised the selection committee that sifted through more than 50 written questions from chamber members and the public. They came up with one dozen of the most representative questions.
Here are the questions, and a summary of what each candidate responded:
1. “Our community is in need of water and sewer services to businesses on the west side of Arborg, and homes to the north of town. There is also a need for primary drainage that would relieve the river of flooding in Arborg and Riverton. If elected, what would you do to advance these types of infrastructure projects, and what role do you feel the Federal Government should take in these types of projects?
Palsson (NDP) – stated that the NDP platform is about building communities and will provide funding. “A project is underway called BASIC, which will carry as much water as the Icelandic River,” he said. He added that Jack Layton pressured the federal government on infrastructure for rural communities.
Geisler (Liberal) – said that he is in favour of providing funding for drainage and infrastructure. “It is important to sustain communities by providing infrastructure funding,” he said.
Winstone (Green) – “I fully support Arborg’s expansion of a water and sewage system,” he said. He talked about phosphorous being carried into the lake during spring run-off and stated that measures should ensure that the run-off move more slowly, rather than quickly—“something sustainable that would help the environment.”
Bezan (PC) – said that he would advocate for a new water and sewer system for Arborg. He referred to a funding announcement for a study in conjunction with a provincial design for a drainage system for the Interlake that would “move water out to the lake without creating any more problems.”
2. Re: First Nations Communities. “How will your government address the following areas: Education, the economy and the environment, safety and community health?
Geisler (Liberal) – said he would reinstate and make current the Kelowna Accord, “that has been collecting dust since Harper took over,” and that there has been no movement in dealing with Aboriginal issues. “It is shameful the way the Canadian government is treating Aboriginal people,” he said.
Winstone (Green) – stated that he would also support the Kelowna Accord, and would work with the Aboriginal communities.
Bezan (PC) – said he has “enjoyed meeting with Aboriginal communities” and has been advocating for economic development for Aboriginal communities in Fisher River and Lake Manitoba, Peguis and other communities. He mentioned his support of educational programs at the Lundar high school which has educational programs that address racism.
Palsson (NDP) – said that his government would “redirect money from corporate taxes into First Nation housing.” He discussed high suicide rates and unsafe drinking water in First Nation communities.
3. “What is your stance on protecting rural residences from pesticide contamination in air and water, and preventing agricultural run-off into the lake?”
Winstone (Green) – said that Canada lags behind other western countries in government regulation of toxins. He wants to see the use of pesticides regulated, and wants to ensure that the definition of “toxic” remain unchanged and not be watered down to suit industry.
Bezan (PC) – wants to look at buffer zones, work with Ducks Unlimited, manage riparian areas, and “improve best practices”. “I don’t believe it is necessary to outlaw the use of herbicides and pesticides.” He believes it is sufficient to use products approved by the European Union.
Palsson (NDP) – Stated that it is necessary to balance the economy and the environment. “Our economy depends on the farms. Passing laws outlawing the use of pesticides would be a detriment to the farmers,” he said.
Geisler (Liberal) – “Overland flooding has done serious damage to our water bodies. Manitoba Hydro has to look at their practices. They have to look at other forms of energy,” he said. Geisler also stated he wants to see protection for whistle blowers.
4. “Will your government allow Western Canadian farmers to decide whether they want single desk marketing through the Canadian Wheat Board?”
Bezan (PC) – acknowledges there are farmers on “both sides of the table”. He wants to let farmers use the wheat board to market other crops as well as wheat. “Farmers are moving into higher value crops and avoiding planting wheat,” he said.
Palsson (NDP) – said he would vote for a single desk for marketing wheat. “In the long term it would be hard on the small family farm if some farmers compete with the wheat board.”
Geisler (Liberal) – said that it is up to the farmers to decide what they want. “They will decide on the fate of the wheat board,” he said.
Winstone (Green) – stated that the Green Party “would not interfere with the farmers to make the choice (for a single desk).”
5. “If elected, what would you do to control rising oil prices?”
Palsson (NDP) – said that the tax cuts given to big oil companies do not translate into savings for the consumer. “We have to find ways to reduce our reliance on oil and gas before we’ll see the prices go down,” he said.
Geisler (Liberal) – “The cost of driving around is just ridiculous,” he said. He suggested that people use smaller cars, and consider carpooling. He would like to look more closely to see if price gouging takes place by “putting muscle” into the competition bureau.
Winstone (Green) – said that government should invest in renewable resources. “It makes no sense to invest in the oil industry. Eventually it will be obsolete. Oil supplies are running out.”
Bezan (PC) – stated that royalties from gas helps fund other commodities. He suggests tax breaks for oil and gas companies to upgrade and produce cleaner oil, and to move more oil into the market place. He suggested that the solution to the high gas prices is to resolve the issue in Libya.
6. “What is your party’s plan to attract and maintain young families in the rural communities of this riding?
Geisler (Liberal) – said that investments in infrastructure and health care is key. “You have to have the community there so that they will want to comeback,” he said. He also said that communities should start a local fund for students’ education with a contract in place for them to return to their communities after finishing their education.
Winstone (Green) – stated the importance of creating a business climate for entrepreneurs of small and medium sized businesses. He proposes a Green venture capital fund for business start up in small communities.
Bezan (PC) – believes that it is a mistake to try to attract big business, and that government should nurture small businesses who hire locals. He also stated that it is important to invest in rural areas to ensure a good quality of life that would attract new people, “and keep kids here”.
Palsson (NDP) – stated the importance of having facilities that give people a reason to stay. “We need to invest in our communities, and create jobs here.” He advocates cutting the small business tax, and suggests a $4,500 tax credit for each new person a business hires. He also stated that small communities have to market themselves better, and emphasize the positives, such as safe communities and the rural lifestyle as a good place to raise a family.
7. “Only 50 per cent of commercial fishermen in the central and arctic region, including Manitoba, have a safe harbour to dock in. Do you think this is acceptable? What would you do to change this?”
Winstone (Green) – stated that more infrastructure needs to be put in place, and that “fishermen need to be supported in their industry.”
Bezan (PC) – stated that their government allotted $7.4 million to repair docks damaged by the weather bomb event last fall, and that other funding was in place to support the small craft harbour authorities in repairing wharfs and developing new harbours.
Palsson (NDP) – “We need to invest to keep fishermen safe, and make sure they can make a profitable living,” he said.
Geisler (Liberal) – stated that the Liberals would provide funding for safe harbours, and would fully support the Freshwater Fish Marketing Corporation.
8. “What would your government propose to impose on the credit card companies to control interest rates charged to struggling individuals?”
Bezan (PC) – hopes the government does not have to regulate banks, and suggested that people consider not using credit cards. “Flaharty has met with banks to try to bring them in line with US rates. The industry is pushing back,” he said.
Palsson (NDP) – stated that the NDP will legislate a prime plus 5 per cent limit on interest rates. “We would make sure that the banks treated Canadians fairly.” He said that the middle class is suffering as a result of the recession and many are using their credit cards to make ends meet. He noted the disconnect between what banks charge consumers in interest, and how little interest they pay to them.
Geisler (Liberal) – wants to look at regulating banks, “or some method of putting teeth in the law to stop this unscrupulous practice.”
Winstone (Green) – “We would want a system that would be fair to the average guy,” he said.
9. “The baby boomers are fast approaching old age. How is the health care system going to handle it? Will your party ensure there will be on-going resources to maintain the system?”
Palsson (NDP) – wants to make prescription drugs more affordable with a national plan to buy in bulk. He said no to privatization of health care in Canada, stating that service providers here, “don’t check your credit card before they check your health.”
Geisler (Liberal) – stated that Lester Pierson (Liberal) worked with Tommy Douglas (NDP) worked cooperatively on the Canada Health Act, (and did not have to form a coalition). He advocates for keeping universal health care intact.
Winstone (Green) – stated that more focus needs to be placed on prevention of illness and death through education, early diagnosis, health research, screening and treatment. “Only one per cent has been allocated to prevention, even though it has been proved to be cost effective,” he said.
Bezan (PC) – said he supports “universal and affordable health care”, and wants to make sure all people have access to it.
10. “We have heard little or nothing from the current incumbent about the closing of the prison farm at the Rockwood Institute in Stony Mountain. Vic Toews has been extremely vocal about the fact that the working farm will not prepare an inmate for meaningful employment elsewhere. Would you support the re-introduction of the prison farm?”
Geisler (Liberal) – believes that the farms were positive for the inmates, and would fund the maintenance of the facility.
Winstone (Green) – stated that farming is meaningful work and that everyone needs something meaningful in their life. “I would reinstate the prison program,” he said.
Bezan (PC) – “I’ve long opposed the prison farm…They should be buying the food, not competing (with farmers). They need to have marketable skills in order to make a living,” he said. He stated that less than two per cent of inmates go back to farming and would rather see more trades and opportunities offered.
Palsson (NDP) – “I actually can’t even believe what I’ve heard. Do you honestly believe that a little prison farm is creating competition?” Palsson stated that inmates learn transferable skills, life skills and a work ethic on the prison farms. He believes that punishment and revenge is “not how you heal people”.
11. “What will you and your government do to make sure that the guaranteed income supplement be equal for married couples?”
Winstone (Green) – said he wants to see the supplement increased from $50 to $200 per month.
Bezan (PC) – said that the Conservatives are “on the right track” and that the supplement is a help to seniors on a fixed income.
Palsson (NDP) – said the NDP wants to lift all seniors out of poverty and proposes a range of supports in addition to the supplement, as well as a significant increase in funding for the program.
Geisler (Liberal) – called Flaharty a “tight-wad” for his “piddly” supplement increase. Combined with the rising gas prices, “(seniors) would get to Teulon and then would have to turn back,” he said.
12. “Do you support the gun registry?”
Bezan (PC) – said he has argued against it. “The only way to get rid of the long gun registry is to vote Conservative,” he said.
Palsson (NDP) – “I would introduce a private members bill to let the municipalities decide whether or not they want it—Let the cities have it if they want,” he said.
Geisler (Liberal) – “Guns are not weapons, they are tools of the trade,” he said. However, he is in support of the registry , but stated that there should be no cost to register.
Winstone (Green) – stated the importance of balancing the interests of rural and urban communities. He advocates a reduction of red tape to make it easier for hunters.
