The Tribune posed 11 questions to the seven candidates running to represent the Cariboo-Prince George riding in the upcoming federal election May 2.
The questions we asked range from economic development to health care, agriculture, to First Nations relations and more.
The answers have been divided into two section with the first five answers running in the Tuesday, April 26 edition and the other six running in today’s Thursday, April 28 edition. The last six questions are as follows.
6. How would you or your party support the forest industry with the goal of sustainable growth in the area?
7. How would you or your party support farming and ranching in the area?
8. How would you or your party seek to improve First Nations relations in the Cariboo Chilcotin?
9. What is your position on seniors poverty and the provision of care for seniors? 10. How would you or your party support post-secondary students or improve students’ access to post-secondary education?
11. What is you or your party’s position on infrastructure grants to communities?
Jon Van Barneveld
New Democratic Party
6. How would you or your party support the forest industry with the goal of sustainable growth in the area?
I have a four-point strategy for our forest sector: 1) implement a national wood-first policy where new government buildings are constructed with wood as the primary building material; 2) ban raw log exports as every raw log shipped across our borders could be a lost job; 3) target investments at the foundation of our forest industry, such as small independent loggers, wood-lot owners and value-added manufacturers using the $1 billion promised to help us through the mountain pine beetle epidemic that was taken back; and 4) invest in forest education and job training.
7. How would you or your party support farming and ranching in the area?
We will work to ensure the sustainability of Canada’s agriculture by encouraging young farmers to take up farming and by supporting current farmers with enhanced skill training, mentorship programs and ensuring that arable land is more widely available. We also need to reduce the time and costs to get agriculture products from “gate to plate.”
We will review railway freight tariffs that have been gouging Canadian farmers across the country. We need to support our local industry and the best way we can do this is by investing in our products.
8. How would you or your party seek to improve First Nations relations in the Cariboo Chilcotin?
We will establish a new proactive partnership with First Nations peoples by fostering economic opportunity and lasting prosperity.
We need to settle the treaties. Unsolved treaties jeopardize First Nations’ communities and the region as a whole. No one gains anything from the government’s lack of progress in settling our treaties.
Until that happens we need to learn from past mistakes and help to ensure that First Nations’ values and concerns are addressed as a first step and not the last hurdle. We need to help our First Nations communities to improve basic infrastructure such as clean water and sewage treatment.
We also need to ensure that we increase programs geared towards employment training and education. With a strengthened community, First Nations will be better adapted to become entrepreneurs and leaders in the local economy.
9. What is your position on seniors poverty and the provision of care for seniors?
Nearly 300,000 Canadian seniors currently live in poverty, this is simply unacceptable. I advocate raising the Guaranteed Income Supplement to a level that will immediately lift every senior out of poverty. Also, we will increase Canadian Pension Plan benefits, with the eventual goal of doubling benefits. In regards to the care of our seniors, we will give 100,000 additional families access to quality home care by doubling the forgivable loan under the Home Adaptations for Seniors’ Independence program from $3,500 to $7,000 and introduce a dedicated long-term transfer to the provinces to increase the number of long-term care spaces.
10. How would you or your party support post-secondary students or improve students’ access to post-secondary education?
As someone who is just finishing a post-secondary degree, I know first-hand what it’s like to go through university and the barrier students face trying to get a post-secondary education.
We will work to improve access to education by attacking skyrocketing tuition fees with a dedicated $800. million transfer to the provinces. Investments in education are critical for the long-term health of our society. We will provide increased secure funding for the Canada Student Grants program and raise the level of the education tax credit.
11. What is you or your party’s position on infrastructure grants to communities?
Our platform was the first to call for new long-term investments in Canada’s cities and municipalities, supported by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities. We’ve called for increased investment in public transit, which fits our climate change agenda. We proposed allocating a penny of the gas tax to cities and municipalities for direct investment to build social housing and bolster crumbling infrastructure such as water systems and highways. After years of federal downloading onto our municipalities we need to help alleviate the tax burden so the taxes they collect support our communities.
Jordan Turner
Rhinoceros Party
6. How would you or your party support the forest industry with the goal of sustainable growth in the area?
The Rhinoceros Party will mandate that all sidewalks and building foundations be constructed out of beetlecrete, which is a mixture of concrete and pine-beetle infested wood. In addition, the Rhinoceros Party promises to construct their entire cabinet (or shadow cabinet) from British Columbian lumber, if elected.
7. How would you or your party support farming and ranching in the area?
The Rhinoceros Party understands that land suitable for agriculture is becoming scarce. Therefore, we support urban agriculture, done indoors. Williams Lake should be proud to be a leader in bountiful basement crop harvests. They are the envy of the nation.
8. How would you or your party seek to improve First Nations relations in the Cariboo Chilcotin?
The Rhinoceros Party promises to create a space colony on the moon. Eventually, all Canadians will live on this space colony, so that the land on earth can be given back to the First Nations. However, in order to construct the space colony, we may need to kick out the indigenous alien life forms, or force them to live in a specific area of land determined by the government.
9. What is your position on seniors poverty and the provision of care for seniors?
The Rhinoceros Party promises to supply everyone 65 and over with a motorized scooter for transportation. The invention of the wheel was an engineering wonder. A wheel, together with an axle, overcomes friction by facilitating motion through rolling. Using your feet for transportation is a slap in the face to engineering. Let’s face it: scooters are much better than walking. I’m not talking about dinky electric wheelchairs that max out at five kilometers an hour. I’m talking about something with a little more pep, perhaps something with some power under the hood. I have a four-speed, gas-powered scooter in mind.
10. How would you or your party support post-secondary students or improve students’ access to post-secondary education?
The Rhinoceros Party promises to provide higher education by building taller schools. All new schools must be constructed at least five-stories high. Also, the Rhinoceros Party promises to ban the semi-colon, because nobody knows how to use it, and those who do know how to use it properly make the rest of us look stupid.
11. What is you or your party’s position on infrastructure grants to communities?
The Rhinoceros Party promises to develop teleportation technology. While the internet is a network that facilitates the instantaneous transfer of information, we have yet to develop a network that can allow the transfer of people and physical objects from place to place. If elected, I will push to invest $5 billion for teleportation research and development, and a further $30 billion for a fully-operational teleportation network for municipalities across Canada. In general, I support federal funding for municipalities on a project-by-project basis.
Henry Thiessen
Christian Heritage Party
6. How would you or your party support the forest industry with the goal of sustainable growth in the area?
First of all, the role of the federal government is to create and foster a healthy environment where business and development will flourish, and to minimize red tape in order for that to work efficiently. Secondly, we cannot continue to export our raw materials, be it logs, livestock, or even crude oil, and expect our local and regional economies to remain strong.
We must invest in facilities to process these raw materials, providing jobs to our people and generating more revenue in the process.
7. How would you or your party support farming and ranching in the area?
The CHP will defend the family farm, and keep Canadian agriculture Canadian. Instead of trying to compete with subsidized foreign farmers, we’ll help Canadian producers, sector-by-sector, build their own productivity and the quality of their product, until it is once again the envy of the world.
8. How would you or your party seek to improve First Nations relations in the Cariboo Chilcotin?
While there are some points that are unique to this area, we need to look at the fundamental issues that would affect all aboriginal people. First of all the Indian Act is outdated and should be abolished.
Treaty claims should be settled as soon as possible, having consideration for both the historic and legal rights of both aboriginal and non-aboriginal Canadians. Furthermore, we must insist on accountability at all levels.
9. What is your position on seniors poverty and the provision of care for seniors?
One of the CHP policies that will offer immediate relief is our Family Care Plan which we have expanded, we will pay $1,000 per month in the case where an immediate family member must leave the workplace to be the primary caregiver for an aging parent. A longer term solution is our proposed Personal Security Savings Program, one that has been adopted very successfully in Chile.
10. How would you or your party support post-secondary students or improve students access to post-secondary education?
The CHP would direct approximately 80 per cent of federal post-secondary funding into tuition vouchers sent directly to qualified students.
This would increase competition among post-secondary institutions for students’ tuition dollars, which would both bring down costs and stimulate true intellectual liberty. Such an agreement would, however, have to be negotiated with the provinces, to respect their constitutional jurisdiction.
The CHP also proposes that student loans be interest-free and repayment-free for 10 years after graduation, to allow grads to get well-established in their career fields before they begin repaying their share of their tuition.
11. What is you or your party’s position on infrastructure grants to communities?
I would need to do more homework on this issue before I could reply to that question.
Jon Ronan
Independent
6. How would you or your party support the forest industry with the goal of sustainable growth in the area?
Supporting sustainable growth in the forest industry begins with planting trees.
7. How would you or your party support farming and ranching in the area?
Beef, grains and food are suffering poor markets. Keep the money in peoples’ hands not the government’s, less taxation and bureaucracy.
8. How would you or your party seek to improve First Nations relations in the Cariboo Chilcotin?
Improve relations with First nations through dialogue and negotiation. What do they want? What can we do? Anything is possible.
9. What is your position on seniors’ poverty and the provision of care for seniors?
I would like to see a living income established. Health and aged care can be increased through federal health care transfer incentives.
10. How would you or your party support post-secondary students or improve students’ access to post-secondary education?
I propose a 12-plus-two year education package for all youth. Can be used any time not consecutively. The two-year addition would be for skill training or education.
11. What is you or your party’s position on infrastructure grants to communities?
The country ran a $55 billion deficit last year. I don’t think it is Canada’s place to provide infrastructure grants. Special events such as the Olympics or Canada Summer-Winter games provide impetus. Local projects are more typically assisted by B.C.
Heidi Redl
Green Party
6. How would you or your party support the forest industry with the goal of sustainable growth in the area?
Generally speaking, Green party MPs will devise incentives that will promote selective, ecologically and economically-sustainable harvesting that conserves natural forest ecosystems with input from the provinces, First Nations and the logging industry. Specifically, wood lots are a great example of a forest-based program that harvest timber, sustainably, while providing jobs and an income for local people and supporting the local economy. I would also work towards reducing the bureaucratic burden of endless paperwork for wood lots.
7. How would you or your party support farming and ranching in the area?
My family has been involved in cattle-ranching for four generations here in the Cariboo. I know how difficult it is to make a living in agriculture. We Greens support ranching, family farms, and co-operatives, like the Growers Co-Op in Williams Lake and we believe in initiatives like Farm Gate sales.
We promote pesticide-free/GMO free/additive – free farming and a high standard for organic production. We will ensure that agriculture regulations are updated to challenge corporate mega-farms and that farm support payments are structured to encourage more farms and farmers and to allow young people to engage in agriculture again.
8. How would you or your party seek to improve First Nations relations in the Cariboo Chilcotin?
My door is always open, I return telephone calls and answer e-mails from all the people in this riding whether they be red, white, yellow or blue. Colour doesn’t matter. I am currently seeking meetings with Chief Bev Sellars and Chief Ann Louie, and I have met with Chief Joe Alphonse, to discuss First Nations issues and how the Green party can support those issues.
9. What is your position on seniors poverty and the provision of care for seniors?
I will work hard to review workplace policies to provide opportunities for flexible retirement, retraining, mentoring and volunteer work for seniors who would like to work. Seniors also need improved access to restorative care and rehabilitation and Canada needs to develop national guidelines for care of the frail elderly who have special needs and require care by geriatric specialists.
Greens would follow the NACA (National Advisory Council on Aging) proposal while the federal and provincial governments collaborate to develop a set of national home care objectives. Our approach to our older citizens must be built on respect and support.
10. How would you or your party support post-secondary students or improve students’ access to post-secondary education?
I have three children in university right now, so I can really relate to this question too. Canada is transitioning to a more information-based society, which requires research, information and innovation. It also requires the knowledge and enthusiasm of our youth.
The Green party will increase funding for a needs-based Canadian National Student Loan Program with an emphasis on low-income, disabled, first-generation students and aboriginal students.
11. What is you or your party’s position on infrastructure grants to communities?
Communities that work take work. The Greens will provide help for local governments through sustainable long-term funding for municipalities to repair decades-old crumbling infrastructure so they can build for the future.
This future would include transportation systems, water works and all the things we love about our communities like playgrounds, bike paths, green spaces, decent housing and a public health care system that addresses all aspects of our well-being. Green party MPs will create a new pool of long-term municipal infrastructure funding by allowing municipalities to issue new Municipal RRSP bonds which can be held in RRSPs and self-directed RRSPs.
Sangeeta Lalli
Liberal
6. How would you or your party support the forest industry with the goal of sustainable growth in the area?
With the world population increasing, the demand for products from this industry is going to increase; however, this will cause forest resources to decrease. Sustainable methods are an essential part of forestry to ensure the continuation of this industry for generations to come.
A Liberal government will provide incentives to businesses in forestry to provide for a sustainable industry as a part of the Canadian Champion Sectors.
Branding the industry as sustainable is also important once sustainability is achieved, especially in the global economy, because as the world becomes more environmentally aware, sustainable industries will increase in value and demand.
7. How would you or your party support farming and ranching in the area?
A Liberal government will work in partnership with Canadian farmers to build farm programs from the farm up, not Ottawa down.
The Liberals will introduce a “Clean Slate Commitment” in which there will be a complete review of agriculture and agri-food Canada programming in partnership with farmers.
AgriFlex will be restored to its original mission of offering regionally flexible programs including practical, bankable business risk management to help farmers meet their costs of production. Farmers will also receive support for greener practices including improved fertilizer and pesticide management and be rewarded for environmentally-sustainable initiatives.
8. How would you or your party seek to improve First Nations relations in the Cariboo Chilcotin?
The First Nations are the fastest growing group in the Canadian population. Focus needs to be put towards education for young First Nations students and creating education facilities that are on par with education facilities in other parts of the country. Also, the Liberal Party will remove the cap on funding growth for aboriginal post-secondary education and would reverse the Harper cuts to First Nations university.
Liberals would also seek to reverse past wrongs. We would immediately call a federal investigation into the hundreds of aboriginal women and girls who have gone missing in recent years.
9. What is your position on seniors poverty and the provision of care for seniors?
Canadian seniors have helped create the Canada we live in today and deserve to retire with security and dignity.
For low income seniors, GIS payments will be increased so seniors do not have to choose between paying for bills over food. A Liberal government will work with the provinces and territories to enhance the Canada Pension Plan.
We will support a gradual increase of the defined benefits under the core CPP to enhance the retirement security of all Canadians. In addition, a Liberal government will propose a new, voluntary supplement to the CPP called the Secure Retirement Option.
10. How would you or your party support post-secondary students or improve students’ access to post-secondary education?
The Learning Passport provides students with $4,000 over four years ($6,000 for low-income seniors). This will help pay for rising tuition costs so students can focus more towards their education and lessen the financial burden on their families.
For students who choose to volunteer through the Canada Service Corps, an agency that the Liberal Party will put forth, $1,500 for student debt will be forgiven for 150 hours of volunteer work within Canada or abroad. Students will receive valuable work experience, while helping others and lowering their student debt.
11. What is you or your party’s position on infrastructure grants to communities?
The Pacific Gateway Strategy, introduced by the Liberal government in 2005, requires infrastructure to be created in this region and new infrastructure requires grants.
This riding is perfectly located to connect the rest of Canada to Asia and needs strong infrastructure to continue supporting the strategy. It is in Ottawa’s best interest to invest in this region to enhance and increase trade with Asia, while boosting the economic development of communities within the riding and producing jobs.
Dick Harris
Conservative
6. How would you or your party support the forest industry with the goal of sustainable growth in the area?
Our party has always supported the forest industry. As chairman of our Conservative government’s National Forest caucus, it is my role to ensure that forest issues are always front and centre to our cabinet and the prime minister. I am proud of the assistance that our Conservative government has been to the forest industry.
7. How would you or your party support farming and ranching in the area?
Our Conservative government has and will, of course, retain a comprehensive package of assistance programs for our farmers and ranchers. The CAIS program is just one such that many in our area has taken advantage of.
8. How would you or your party seek to improve First Nations relations in the Cariboo Chilcotin?
Our Conservative government knows that good relationships are achieved only if both parties come to the table in an honest and open manner, understanding the position of the other party(s) as well as their own. They must be willing to work together toward a conclusion that will satisfy both or all parties.
9. What is your position on seniors poverty and the provision of care for seniors?
Our Conservative government understand what seniors have done for Canada and the debt that we owe them. As a federal government, we are committed to working with the provinces and municipalities to ensure that seniors are able to retire without worrying about their basic needs of life.
We have made many changes to the financial aspects of pensions, OAS and GIS as well as income splitting and age credits that have resulted in taking 300,000 seniors off any income tax position that they may have had.
10. How would you or your party support post-secondary students or improve students’ access to post-secondary education?
Our Conservative government has provided billions of dollars to post-secondary institutions both university and colleges. This funding provided expansion of learning and skills, many times on a “closer-to-home” basis. As well we have maintained the Canada student loans program and adjusted the parents’ income criteria to allow more flexibility in the borrowing process.
11. What is you or your party’s position on infrastructure grants to communities?
Our Conservative government has provided over $50 billion to communities and regional districts all across Canada specifically for infrastructure projects.
One only has to take a quick look around to see the $10 million McKenzie Ave. upgrade, the $750,000 Stampede grounds improvement, the $1.6 million upgrade to the Memorial complex…all part of a massive infrastructure funding program that as your member of parliament I was proud to secure for Williams Lake.
These projects are only a small part of the more than $200 million in infrastructure projects that have been approved and delivered to Williams Lake and area as a result of my work as your member of parliament.
