Social Issues Debate

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KELLY CLARKSON

STRONGER (WHAT DOESN'T KILL YOU)

Friday, 6 June 2014 at 05:30

Provincial candidates for Oxford meet with the public following Thursday's debate on social issues at Woodstock Art Gallery.

Candidates fielded panel and audience questions on social issues Thursday.

WOODSTOCK -- Social issues were front and centre for the latest all-candidates debate held Thursday at The Woodstock Art Gallery.

The debate was put on by The United Way, Community Employment Services and The Social Planning Council of Oxford, along with the Woodstock and Area Community Health Centre.

With Progressive Conservative Candidate Ernie Hardeman not attending the debate due to a prior commitment, Liberal Candidate Dan Moulton chose to define how his party's platform dealt with poverty, something he says wasn't addressed by the NDP.

"The NDP have not offered a platform, they've offered a pamphlet. Andrea Horwath is taking this reckless approach to populist ideas and not mentioned the word 'poverty' once in this pamphlet, not platform that she's distributed."

When addressing the issues on poverty after the meeting, NDP Candidate Bryan Smith says he can understand it's impact first hand.

"I remember wearing my neighbours hand-me-downs when I was a child. I live in poverty, and I know what it's like, and I know there are many issues that follow it, and you have to deal with them."

Each candidate fielded panel and audience questions on social issues ranging from access to counselling, food security, affordable childcare and youth unemployment, among several others.

Freedom Party Candidate Tim Hodges says money can be saved be eliminating the province's costly green energy contracts and be put back into social efforts supporting people.

"It comes down to things like I said about electricity, that will also effect industry and would bring more industry to this province," Hodges said. "The other thing is if we can have a change in the government -- if I was someone who was at a multi-national corporation, would I invest in a government who has a long list of scandals?"

Green Party Candidate Mike Farlow agreed, saying his party has a grass roots plan to make it happen.

"The problem is there isn't a lot of money, so we have developed a plan that will help increase the amount of money to put towards programs, and particularly social programs," said Farlow. "But I think what I've been emphasizing is what we can do locally as a county to make things better for people."

For the Liberals, Moulton says May's budget addressed a number of social causes and blamed the NDP for putting the document in jeopardy.

"I'm disappointed that the NDP chose to put us in this unnecessary election, by voting down the most progressive budget this province has seen in two decades."

Libertarian candidate Devin Wright also found himself defending his party choice and values from a question from the crowd. Wright says issues like poverty, childcare unemployment can be fixed by keeping money with the people who earn it.

"I think all issues can be well addressed if we just get the government out of the way and allow lower taxes for people so they have economic freedom."

Candidates are returning Friday morning for another round, this time as guests of the Tillsonburg Chamber of Commerce.

The provincial election goes June 12th.