MyWestNipissingNow.com reached out to candidates for the upcoming election to get their thoughts on important issues. Each week leading up to the election, we will publish stories online which include the candidates’ voices so the riding can hear what they have to say.
This week, we discussed economic recovery.
Here is the question we posed to each candidate:
Gas prices have been consistently around $1.35 to $1.40 a litre in Nipissing Timiskaming, affordable housing and the cost of rent have been issues, and our Health Unit last year cited the “consequences of inadequate and insecure income on the health of our local communities” in calling for a basic guaranteed income. How can your party help constituents afford everyday items? What relief is in store for low and middle-income workers if your party wins the election?
Andréane Chénier, New Democratic Party
NDP candidate Andréanne Chénier says the cost of housing in Nickel Belt alone has gone up 34% in the span of a year. She says her party will build affordable homes in order to make sure people have a safe place to stay, all while going after big-money investors who are raising the price of homes. She says the NDP will also put in a universal pharma care program, all while expanding medical benefits to include eye, dental, and mental health care. She says her party will also take the Canadian Employment Response Benefit, and springboard it into building a guaranteed livable income. Chénier also says the NDP will cap internet and phone bills, all while expanding cell phone coverage and broadband internet throughout Canada.
Marc Serré, Liberal Party of Canada
Incumbent Liberal candidate Marc Serré says affordability is a key issue for many people. He says one of the things his party did when they first got in government was increase taxes to the 1%, and reduced them for families. He says his party also increased the child benefit as well as old age security. Serré says housing is a big component in affordability, and the price of housing going up puts pressure on families. He says the Liberals platform includes a national housing strategy, which includes affordable housing for seniors. Serré also says the emergency community fund works closely with not-for-profits and food banks, providing supports for those who need it most.
Charles Humphrey, Conservative Party of Canada
For the Conservatives’ Charles Humphrey, the wealth of this country is the goods we manufacture and the services we provide. He says his party recognizes that those things are the engine of wealth creation for our economy, and his party’s plan is different from the other ones. He says his party wants to direct funding where we see a net return, better jobs, better opportunities and a better cost of living. He says his party wants to re-shore manufacturing and innovation providing an economic stimulus and provide well-paying jobs Canadians need. He says his party would also give workers a voice by mandating all federally regulated employers with over 1,000 employees, or $100 million in annual revenue, include worker representation in their boards of directors.
Craig Gravelle, Green Party of Canada
Green candidate Craig Gravelle says his party will take many actions to make life more affordable, including universal basic income. He says there’s a lot of consequences from lack of income on our local communities, including an increase in crime, an increase in spending on health care as well as an increase in student dropout rates. Gravelle says a guaranteed income would help address those consequences all while giving people dignity, choice and opportunity and stimulating the economy.