Four of the seven Lakeland MP hopefuls laid out their plans and priorities for local constituents.
Electors gathered in the gym of Dr. Brosseau School in Bonnyville on Tuesday for the federal election forum, hosted by the Bonnyville and District Chamber of Commerce. Veterans Coalition Party (VCP) candidate Roberta Graham, Alain Houle of the People's Party of Canada (PPC), Conservative Shannon Stubbs, and Liberal candidate Mark Watson were all in attendance to answer questions and share their platforms.
Candidates were each given five minutes for their opening statements followed by three prepared questions from the chamber. Attendees were also allowed to submit their inquiries in writing to get an answer from those vying for their vote.
Watson started by stressing that while many may head to the polls to cast their ballot based on what they've heard from the party leaders, he implored residents to think instead about the candidates right in front of them.
“I want to represent you in Ottawa, not bring Ottawa down on you,” Watson expressed during his opening statement. “I'm here as one of the residents of the Lakeland riding. I am what I am, and who I am. I'm not a professional politician by any stretch of the imagination. I have the same concerns and the same hopes as any one of you has.”
As the incumbent candidate in the upcoming election, Stubbs reflected on her time as MP and the pride she's felt fighting for her riding over the last four years and while out door-knocking.
“I have been sad to see the utter contempt that Justin Trudeau and the Liberals have for rural and small town Alberta, and rural communities right across the country. Since 2017, when Justin Trudeau said he wanted to phase out Canada's oil sands, he's gone ahead and he's tried to do exactly that, hasn't he?”
She continued, “The reality is this, and I think we all in this room know this, the Liberals are hostile to Alberta and hostile to the oil and gas sector in Canada. In fact, all of the parties on the left are very clear that their intent is to shut down the energy sector.”
Being with a newly formed party, Graham took the opportunity to share the priorities of the Veterans Coalition Party with those in attendance.
She said one their top concerns is changing the rules around the Canadian Pension Plan (CPP) so that it will no longer be taxed as income and lowering the age to 55. They would also place a four-year moratorium on international aid, develop a plan in consultation with indigenous communities in relation to education, clean drinking water, and treaties, among other items, as well as reducing taxes and government spending.
While Graham noted they are firm on “mandating fossil fuel producers to develop new green energy options and increasing requirements for vehicles leading to low emission vehicles,” the VCP stands behind building a pipeline across Canada.
“This does not mean we will not build that pipe; we stand solid, we stand for the pipe. But, we also stand for a green pipe.”
Since his party's inception a little over a year ago, Houle said the PPC has become the fastest growing party in Canadian history with over 41,000 members country-wide.
“People are looking for a bold leader that will speak common sense and represent every day Canadian patrons, not protect the elites that carry on with status-quo politics. With key issues like immigration, equalization, balanced budgets, and building pipelines, the establishment would rather submit to a globalist agenda that harms the sovereignty of our country.”
Commitment to Trans Mountain and major infrastructure
The first prepared question that candidates had to state their view on was, regardless of whether their party formed government or participated in a minority government coalition, how committed they are to personally ensuring the Trans Mountain and other major infrastructure projects get built in Canada.
“If I do get voted in, I plan to fight for that pipe because that pipe means everything to me,” said Graham. “I've been in Bonnyville for 20 years, I've made Alberta my home... We came to Alberta to work hard because work was all we wanted to do, and they started shutting down the oil. That won't happen, I promise you.”
According to Houle, the PPC stance "right from the beginning" has always been to build pipelines.
“What they (the PPC) would do is impose pipelines on provinces using section 92.10 of the constitution. What this does, is it grants jurisdiction over all types of work...we've done this in the past. What we do is put this into effect, so commitment to build Trans Mountain pipeline and other infrastructure across Canada is No. 1 on our list when it comes to the People's Party.”
Fighting for the Trans Mountain expansion has been one of Stubbs' “top priorities for the last four years.”
“When they first announced that they (Kinder Morgan) were going to abandon it, I forced an emergency debate in the House of Commons and secured an emergency committee meeting of the natural resources committee.”
She added, “In fact, on May 2018, I actually introduced S245 legislation in the House of Commons to invoke section 92.10 of the constitution and exert federal jurisdiction over all matters of the Trans Mountain expansion: the construction, operation, ongoing maintenance of the pipeline, and the terminal. I also asked for unanimous consent to expedite that debate to bring it to the top of the agenda. It was turned down three times by the Liberals, the NDP, the Bloc, and then, ultimately, the Liberals killed the legislation.”
“This question is how committed I would be personally,” stated Watson. “I would definitely, 100 per cent, be committed to ensuring the Trans Mountain expansion goes ahead, and that we have another look at the Energy East with the goal of getting it through to the east coast.”
He also would like to see other options explored for getting Canada's energy exports to tidewater and to countries around the world.
“That is a commitment I make to all of you.”
Taking a stance on equalization payments
A hot button issue in recent years, if Alberta were to hold a referendum on reforming the equalization formula because the government won't rescind Bills C-48 and C-69, candidates were asked where they would stand on the matter if elected as MP.
Houle said when it comes to the PPC, it's not even a question.
“I believe we are the only party that has claimed we will change the formula. Albertans are crying out for it to be changed, it's something we've done in the past, so it is something that we can do and something we have stated from the beginning,” he told residents, adding that the receiving provinces need to get less dollars as an incentive to develop their own natural resources.
“Here's what I hope. I sure as heck hope that on Oct. 21 Andrew Scheer is elected Prime Minister of Canada because he will kill Bill C-69 and kill Bill C-48, and I have been proud to lead that fight for the Official Opposition,” stated Stubbs.
Watson agreed he “would definitely back a call for a complete and total review of the equalization, with an eye for a fairer share for all 10 provinces and territories, to make sure everyone is happier with it than they are today.”
Graham said as far as equalization payments go, the VCP believe their shouldn't be any.
“My party's stance on these bills is as such: we will review and repair every law that the Liberal government has weakened, we will repeal Bill C-48, C-69, C-71, and C-75, we'll pull them all back.”
Ensuring newcomers participate in the economy
The final prepared question the four candidates shared their views on, was how they, and their party, would make sure immigrants have the supports they need to participate in the Canadian economy as soon as possible, using the skills they acquired elsewhere.
“The Conservatives have been clear and consistently calling for the Trudeau Liberals to stop illegal border crossings, to enforce immigration rules, and to restore fairness...and compassion to the immigration system,” stressed Stubbs.
She continued that they intend to move back to making sure the economic needs of Canada are met and moving towards a “path of permanency for temporary foreign workers.”
“On the issue of meeting the economic needs of Canada, that really was the legacy of the former Conservative government, it was ensuring that new Canadians met the economic needs of Canada and got to the communities where they were needed most with the skills and education that they needed most.”
Watson said it's a matter of getting everyone on the same page, to make sure that there's a credential recognition program in place allowing those coming into the country to utilize skills they've acquired elsewhere.
“I would be very interested in making sure our newcomers to Canada, whether temporary foreign workers or family members, have the supports and skills that they need to participate fully in our society to benefit and generate economic benefits for our cities, our cultures.”
Graham explained the VCP plan to “roll back immigration and focus on Canadian needs.”
“We will return to a stepped immigration process over the next four years. We're going to encourage immigrants that we need here, people like doctors and nurses. We plan to bring them in and help them to get their certification in order in Canada... When it comes to refugees and illegal immigrants, we believe in deportation because these people are costing way too much. It's Canadians first, charity begins at home.”
Referencing a poll from 2018, Houle said 49 per cent of Canadians stated they want less immigration.
“The People's Party stance is to lower the amount of immigration to 150,000 max,” Houle explained. “We want our immigrants to integrate into society fully and quickly. We want to welcome the right kind of immigrant, and that is the economic immigrant. Where it stands now, is only 26 per cent are economic immigrants, we want to raise that to 50 per cent economic immigrants... We want them to have face-to-face interviews, have a job when they get here, learn one of our official languages, and adopt the values that Canadians live by every day.”
Questions from the floor
Those in attendance jumped at the opportunity to ask their potential representatives about a number of issues, including pipelines, supporting veterans, environmental and indigenous matters, free speech, and getting agricultural products to market.
If there was one thing all four candidates agreed on, it was how crucial it is to get a pipeline built.
“I went all the way to Ottawa, I stood on the hill last February. We need to fight, our whole province depends on it,” stressed Graham, who helped organize the yellow vest convoys locally and going to the ring road in Edmonton.
Houle added the PPC are “ready to impose pipelines on provinces that are blocking them.”
“You have to have strong leadership that's going to say the oil is too important for our country and we need to build the pipeline.”
When the topic of supporting veterans was raised, the MP hopefuls were quick to point out that they deserve more than they're currently receiving.
“I was shocked by the news that came out today that the Trudeau government is planning on cutting the supports for veterans and for medical care for veterans and for serving members of the Canadian Armed Forces,” said Stubbs.
She added, “We've committed to overhauling and working with veterans' groups to make sure we get it right, targeting support for the most disabled veterans because there's a variety of requests coming from different veterans groups. There's a tremendous backlog in veterans programs right now, we would commit to clearing that backlog in 24 months.”
Watson noted the veterans deserve “every penny that they're owed” and should be able to access as much support as they need.
“Our veterans have put their entire lives on the line for this country... They had a promise made to them when they took that oath and, over the years, we have looked narrowly at the letter of that oath instead of looking at the spirit of the promise that was made.”
Addressing the issue of clean drinking water for First Nations communities, Houle compared the response from the government to if an urban centre had the same concerns.
“Everybody would be freaking out. Governments of all levels would be here, the news would be here, but because it's a First Nations remote community, we seem to turn a blind eye. They are Canadians as well and I don't know why we don't look after reserves and allow this water debacle to go on.”
Graham added the VCP would “develop a plan with full consultation, forming an alliance with First Nations, and provide clean drinking water on all First Nations reserves and territories.”
“We need to think of Canadians first, it all boils down to that same answer.”
Residents also questioned candidates on where they stand when it comes to helping farmers move their grain to market and remedying the trade dispute with China which is impacting beef, pork, and canola.
“This is another reason why we should be boldly supporting pipelines, so that oil can be in the pipe and grain can be on the rail,” said Stubbs regarding grain shipments. “Certainly, I hear concerns everywhere about the enormous costs on family farms and how difficult it is for producers, and certainly for young farmers to get into it. We'll reverse those recent tax changes that the Liberals made that penalize farmers for sharing work among family members and for keeping savings within their businesses... and of course, we'll continue to work on market access.”
“We've been controlled too long by outside influences, by China and other countries either putting fines on us or blocking us totally,” Graham answered about the trade dispute. “If you could sell to five countries, then if one doesn't work out, you still have the other four. We can't just depend on the small customer base, we need a huge customer base for our farmers.”
In closing
With their closing statements, candidates had one last chance to leave a lasting impression on constituents.
Houle told attendees the fact that the PPC has confirmed 315 candidates in just one year “speaks to the hunger of every day Canadians who are fed up with the establishment.”
Recapping his party's priorities, he stated they will balance the budget in two years with “bold reform,” defund the CBC, phase out supply management, and stand behind the country's veterans and indigenous peoples.
With only 26 candidates running for the VCP in the upcoming election, Graham said while she knows their leader can't take the Prime Minister's seat, she hopes electors will still put their trust in her.
“I promise to be your watchdog in Ottawa, if that's where you find to send me. I pledge my 20 per cent, as all Veterans Coalition Party (candidates) have – we're still cutting (20 per cent) from our pay and we're donating it.”
“I'm so grateful that on Oct. 21 Canada has the opportunity to change course,” expressed Stubbs. “I think Canadians deserve a new government that is actually proud of Canada and that will uphold the rule of law, that will fight for Canadian values and freedoms, that will treat every one and every province equally.”
Watson commended all of the candidates for taking the step to stand up and enter their name in the electoral race.
“I've been politically involved for half a century now... I've lived in Ontario, I've lived out here, I've lived in B.C. and on the east coast. I've raised five children and have four grandchildren. I need to make sure that I leave a better Canada, and I believe you want to do the same thing for your children and their grandchildren.”
Also running in the Lakeland riding but not present at the forum is the Green Party's Kira Brunner, Libertarian Robert McFadzean, and New Democratic Party candidate Jeffrey Swanson.
For more information on the candidates, including full profiles and a Q&A, go to our website www.bonnyvillenouvelle.ca.
