Pubdate: Wed, 07 Oct 2015
Source: Sentinel Review (CN ON)
Copyright: 2015 Woodstock Sentinel Review
Contact: http://www.woodstocksentinelreview.com/letters
Website: http://www.woodstocksentinelreview.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2385
Author: Jennifer Vandermeer
Page: A1

CANDIDATES TACKLE THE ISSUES

Abortion, Refugees and Marijuana Legalization Among the Topics in Norwich

Oxford's federal election candidates were faced with questions about 
abortion, marijuana, Syrian refugees and federal debt when they 
gathered in Norwich for their sixth all-candidates meeting Monday night.

Students in the public speaking class at Rehoboth Christian School 
asked the five candidates prepared questions before opening the 
microphone to the audience at the event, hosted by the Norwich 
Township Chamber of Commerce.

Conservative incumbent Dave MacKenzie, NDP candidate Zoe Kunschner, 
Liberal candidate Don McKay, Green Party candidate Mike Farlow and 
Christian Heritage Party' candidate Melody Aldred were each asked to 
explain their party's platform on abortion and their feeling about 
being required to toe the party line, as is the case for Liberal MPs. 
A later question from the floor raised the topic again.

Kunschner was the first to respond, saying the NDP is a prochoice 
party, and that electoral reform is the way to give MPs the right to 
make their own decisions regarding Parliamentary votes. She believes 
the government falls short in funding services to support women in 
the position of having to make the choice.

McKay said his background in theological study has long made this a 
struggle for him because he believes in the sanctity of life and that 
life begins at conception, but he also believes in the state. Liberal 
leader Justin Trudeau made headlines in 2014 when he said all MPs 
elected in 2015 would be required to support the party's pro-choice stance.

"It's not a light issue to consider," said McKay, "and how to we 
reach out to counsel those who are faced with the choice?"

The Green Party opposes any government move against a woman's access 
to safe, legal abortion, said Farlow, adding the party would also 
provide supports to the woman in order to make it an option to keep her child.

MacKenzie said every candidate has to agree to their party's 
policies, but Conservative MPs have the right to vote with their 
conscience on social issues. The Conservatives do not intend to 
create a criminal law against young women seeking abortion and, 
though he shares the concerns of the audience, doesn't know where to 
find the answer that will satisfy everyone.

"We definitely need a law," said Aldred, adding it is ludicrous the 
current law states a baby is not human until it is fully born. 
Aldred, who said she experienced an abortion at a young age and had 
suffered for it, strongly opposes abortion and stands for the rights 
of the pre-born. The pro-life policy is the main plank in the 
Christian Heritage Party platform.

A question from the floor raised the issue of marijuana legalization, 
suggesting that anyone who thinks they can raise money by legalizing 
the drug is naive about its cost to health care and addiction and 
mental health services.

The Green Party policy is to capitalize on the use of marijuana by 
taxing it to generate revenue and regulate the production and sale of the drug.

"I will be clear, that's our policy and I do agree with it," said Farlow.

None of the other candidates was in favour of legalization, but 
Kunschner said the NDP would decriminalize marijuana for personal use 
as a way to address overcrowding in jails.

Each candidate was asked to explain their position on allowing Syrian 
refugees to enter Canada in light of the current violence in that 
country. MacKenzie said Syria is in deep trouble, and though European 
countries moved in quickly to help, they are now backing off because 
they don't know if the people they're helping are actually refugees 
or soldiers trying to sneak into other countries. He said the 
Conservatives will screen the refugees "to make sure we don't bring 
the problem here."

Kunschner said the NDP is committed to helping Syrian refugees and 
using international checks and balances to ensure Canada remains 
safe. McKay echoed that approach, saying the Liberals are very open 
and welcoming to refugees, and that it is our responsibility as 
stewards to open our hearts and communities.

The process to bring Syrian refugees to Canada is a "bureaucratic 
nightmare," said Farlow, who believes the federal government should 
make the process happen in a timelier manner. While he knows Canada 
has a lot to do to help those at home, he said it is a moral 
obligation to help others.

Aldred said the first obligation, as a nation, is to our children and 
grandchildren, but there is a need to help the refugees in the camps 
where they are.

Each party was asked to comment on the federal debt after an audience 
member pointed out it didn't seem any party was concerned about it.

McKay said the debt numbers are staggering, but it's the percentage 
that should be of concern.

"The debt is high and the interest is real, but that is not in any 
way hindering us as a great nation," he said.

Farlow said the Green Party plan is to pay down the debt and generate 
revenue by charging companies a carbon fee for pollution, with that 
money going to fund health care. Funds from legalizing marijuana 
would be used to pay down the debt. Aldred said the CHP knows it's 
wrong to borrow money when you know you can't repay it, so there 
would be a concerted effort to pay back the debt and rein in spending.

"We just don't want to pass this on to our children," she said.

The Conservatives are also committed to paying down the debt, with 
MacKenzie pointing out a deficit only puts off that repayment for the 
next generation to deal with. Kunschner said the Conservative 
government under Stephen Harper may be comfortable running a deficit, 
but the NDP is committed to balancing the budget.

There are three more all-candidates meetings scheduled in Oxford 
before the Oct. 19 election, including a second Unifor debate in 
Ingersoll Wednesday evening, the ARPA debate Thursday evening in 
Woodstock, and the Friday morning Woodstock Chamber of Commerce debate.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom