Conservative incumbent Blake Richards did not acknowledge a question, ‘How would you ensure your government would not change the laws to suit their agenda?’
NDP candidate Joanne Boissonneault spoke over her allotted amount of time for the majority of the questions.
Liberal candidate Marlo Raynolds questioned Richards for his ‘spending money on flying business class to Ottawa.’
And Green Party candidate Mike MacDonald said his party would shift away from the oil industry and reinvest in green technologies.
Around 200 people were in attendance at Cochrane’s Seniors on the Bow for the all-candidates federal election forum Oct. 9.
All candidates were brought together to answer questions raised by community members, sent in beforehand, discussing the economy, energy resources and the environment, health care, seniors, national governance, security, law and order, aboriginal relations, regional and riding issues and a short section at the end to take questions from the floor.
In the initial introductions, Richards stressed the best way to give back to a community is through public service and said he wanted to continue to be a strong voice for the community.
Boissonneault said the NDP wants to grow and diversify the economy by investing in infrastructure and health care, and also mentioned that the NDP wanted to end the culture of ‘fear and division’ by Mr. Richards and his party.
Raynolds said he was inspired to run for politics after realizing his frustrations with the current government, commenting that the ‘tired conservative government is ready for a change.’
MacDonald also listed his reasons for running, citing the Duffy scandal, Canada’s unprotected lakes and rivers and the eight deficits in a row. He also said that his party is seeking immediate action on climate change.
The candidates echoed their party platforms at the forum through the first round of questioning.
The crowd reacted when MacDonald said the Green Party is considering supporting the future shut down of oil patches and instead re-investing the money into green technology.
“This is the direction we need to go in – it will not collapse the economy, it will shift the economy,” MacDonald said.
Richards got cheers from the crowd when he asked MacDonald to refer to industry as the ‘oil sands,’ not tar sands, as that was the proper name. But Richards drew a ruckus from the crowd a couple minutes later when he made the comment there has never been a case of contaminated water due to horizontal hydraulic fracking.
When the question came up about each parties position on senate reform, Boissonneault referred to Harper “and his cronies” saying the future government needs to abolish the senate.
Raynolds said the government needed to improve democracy and make the forum work for Canada, with his party in support of proportional representation.
MacDonald was also in favour of proportional representation to ensure greater fairness and accountability.
Richards said the government could not simply abolish the senate.
Those in attendance had the chance to hand their questions in to be read by the master of ceremonies, Douglas Campbell. One of the questions included, ‘How would you ensure your government would not change the laws to suit their agendas?’ citing the High River flood and gun scandal, where RCMP entered homes in High River to retrieve firearms left behind to prevent theft.
When Richards answered the question, he said it was a High River district issue and spoke instead about the long-gun law. After finishing his answer, the crowd was silent until one of the guests yelled out, ‘Answer the question.’ After the other candidates answered the questions, Richards was given an opportunity to expand or clarify his answer, but declined.
Once all the questions were complete, each candidate got the opportunity to explain why community members should vote for their party.
Boissonneault said she believed in fairness and justice with equity and equality for all. Boissonneault also cited that the current government posted eight consecutive deficits, and that she wanted to continue to work and advocate for locals and build a strong community.
“If I look into the future, I need to look into the past and in the past 10 years I’ve been disappointed in the government,” Boissonneault said.
Raynolds told the crowd that locals have a choice Oct. 19 to choose the ‘status quo who flies business class from Calgary to Ottawa’ or choose a positive change. Raynolds also slammed Richards saying that for a candidate who swears he is available to the public, it looks bad to miss two forums.
“Mr. Richards, you have an obligation to explain why you think it is appropriate to fly business class when people are losing their jobs,” Raynolds asked.
MacDonald encouraged voters to go out and get informed on each party, saying people should talk with their friends and family to think about where Canadians are heading as a country. MacDonald said, as a dad with five kids and 20 years experience in mental health, he got involved with the Green Party because he liked the platform.
“It’s a platform and party that is committed to working with the people of Canada – and I like to think we have one of the most remarkable women [Green Party leader Elizabeth May] that we have ever met,” MacDonald said.
Richards stated that only a re-elected Conservative Party could protect the economy, commenting that voting for the other candidates would mean taking a chance on high spending and high deficits, with taxes going up.
“With the wrong government decision (it) can upset our fragile economy and upset things that cause job losses – which party is best to protect? Clearly only a re-elected Conservative Party,” Richards said.
With advance polls (Oct. 9-11) reportedly showing a significant increase in turnout from 2011, most Canadian voters will cast their ballots election day, Oct. 19.
