Hub Staff

Two former journalists- Liberal candidate Allan Thomson and NDP candidate Gerard Creces - gathered the most crowd support while Conservative incumbent Ben Lobb was on the defense after being met with the most party criticism at the October 8 All Candidates Meeting at the Plex in Port Elgin. The event was moderated by 98 the Beach's John Divinski.

Saugeen Shores residents were invited to ask pressing questions to the four candidates for Huron- Bruce with only Southampton residents stepping up to the microphone in the crowded Rotary Hall that left a few late-comers standing.

The first questions dug into the on-going issue regarding Ontario Power Generation's approved deep geologic repository (DGR) plan of disposing low and intermediate level waste near the Great Lake basin.

Green Party candidate Jutta Splettstoesser addressed her opposition to the science of it. “I think scientific knowledge is developing. There are three different DGRs that have failed because of the unknown. The risk is too big,” said Splettstoesser.

Southampton resident Carolyn Day addressed Conservative Ben Lobb directly about his stance on once-protected lakes and rivers and how during his party's time in office the number of protected waterways have dropped from a few million to just a few hundred.

Lobb stated that he could use ten minutes to clarify the issue and brought up misinformation regarding the Navigation Protection Act. Lobb explained that the Conservatives have changed the protection to waterways where more frequent transportation occurs, using the Saugeen, Maitland and Bayfield rivers as examples. He made it clear there hadn’t been too many steamships hauling cargo through them in some time and stated that this had eliminated duplication, saving tax dollars.

NDP Candidate Creces quipped that just because they aren’t used for transportation doesn’t mean that they shouldn’t be protected. “Our approach to water is simple, treat it as a resource and not a commodity.” His response generated approval from the crowd.

The provincial issue of bringing doctors to the area had all candidates explaining how their party could help with Lobb declaring that the Wynne Government was to blame.

Another Southampton resident questioned omnibus bills which brought forth the most negative crowd reaction where definitive groans were heard. Liberal candidate Allan Thompson stated that they’re a way to hoodwink and jam parliament. “We should not allow the abuse of omnibus bills,” a polished Thompson said.

In his response, incumbent Ben Lobb made claims with regard to the past. “The previous Liberal government were experts of omnibus bills … and when NDP party leader Tom Mulcair was a minister in the Quebec legislature he was supportive of omnibus bills.” Lobb then challenged attendees to find one piece in the legislation that had been a negative. Moderator Divinski hushed the crowd following their reaction to the challenge.

The question that was asked with most reverence was regarding missing and murdered indigenous women, which was addressed to Lobb but rescinded as the questioner claimed that it wasn’t important to Conservatives because it’s not on their agenda.

NDP candidate Gerard Creces was first to answer and addressed the question with a promise. “We want to commit to an inquiry into missing and murdered aboriginal women within the first 100 days of forming government,” said Creces, adding “we have 1200 missing and murdered aboriginal women and this (Conservative) government doesn’t do a damn thing.”

“This is a terrible thing,” said Lobb who followed Creces. “It’s a very serious situation. Police and social workers are working on this every single day.” Lobb went on to say that there is a program to make indigenous women financially independent, and brought up the Transparency Act, which allows insight into how much Chief and Reserve Council make.

A farmer and small business owner, Green Party candidate Jutta Splettstoesser said, “It's really important that we have better policies that make better representation. I have three girls and one boy and I don’t want my girls to make 71 cents on the dollar just because they are women, so equal pay and equal opportunities are very important.” She went on, “We want to end violence against women - and we stand behind giving women a choice on legal abortion.”

Allan Thompson, a former parliament hill reporter and Journalism professor at Carlton University thought that it was very unfortunate that our party leaders held half a dozen debates and did not hold a debate on women’s issues and said that if Liberal leader, Justin Trudeau takes power he will commit to having an equal amount of women and men in his government.

“Canada’s treatment of its First Nations is a scar on the national narrative of this county. This is not about another study, this is not a price tag on women’s lives or the well being of their families. We must have an inquiry and the highest form of investigation that is allowed under Canadian law. Those women and their families deserve nothing less,” Thompson said.

Advance polls are currently open at the Masonic Lodge in Port Elgin until Monday, October 12. Canadians will take to the polls October 19 from 9:30 a.m. until 9:30 p.m. Huron – Bruce candidates will debate in Walkerton at Sacred Heart Catholic School October 15 from 10:00 a.m. until noon. The debate will be conducted by the Grade 12 students with the entire student body in attendance and will be open to parents and members of the public.