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CHESTERVILLE — The third of three local debates scheduled prior to the upcoming election on June 2 saw a healthy crowd of potential voters on Thursday evening in North Dundas.
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The debate was hosted in partnership by the North Dundas Chamber of Commerce, South Dundas Chamber of Commerce, and the Dundas Federation of Agriculture, held at the Chesterville and District Lion’s Club. Five of six Stormont—Dundas—South Glengarry (SDSG) candidates were in attendance, with the New Blue Party of Ontario’s Claude Tardif being absent.
The candidates each had a chance to share opening and closing remarks about themselves and their party’s platform. Questions were first asked by the event’s hosts, followed by members of the public. Organizers requested only two candidates be asked about one topic.
Throughout the evening, questions seldom reached Green Party of Ontario candidate Jacqueline Milner, or Ontario Party candidate Remi Tremblay — with Tremblay even declining to answer one question. Voters were most interested in hearing from Ontario NDP candidate Wendy Stephen, Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario candidate Nolan Quinn, and Liberal Party of Ontario candidate Kirsten Gardner.
The first question came from North Dundas Chamber president Nanda Wubs. She asked Quinn to define the two most pressing issues the business community is currently facing, and two proposed party solutions.
“Being a small business owner myself… staffing. Anyone I have spoken to… we have a huge staffing issue. And supply chain, is the second issue I see, still glaring its head after two years of the pandemic,” said Quinn. “As for solutions, staying open is one of them… we have lowered the small business tax down to 3.2 per cent, a very predictable percentage so (businesses) can focus on staffing.”
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Once the mic was opened to the public, things got personal.
A father from Berwick asked Quinn and Stephen what they would do to help people who are living on the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) get ahead.
“I have son on ODSP. He is living on $1,169 a month. That is ridiculous with inflation,” he said.
Quinn replied his party has committed to raising ODSP by five per cent.
“Increase of five per cent,” Stephen scoffed. “Just letting us hold onto that number for a second… disability is not a choice. The folks who are collecting ODSP… they need this income in order to live with dignity and respect… and five per cent is nothing… an NDP government will increase it immediately by 20 per cent, but that’s still not enough to live on, so in our second year we will double that.”
Winchester District Memorial Hospital (WDMH) and Dundas Manor CEO Cholly Bolland took to the microphone to question Quinn and Gardner. He commented both institutions he manages have been ignored over the past four years, and said similar institutions in neighbouring regions have received substantial, ongoing funding.
“What are you going to do so our important health-care institutions here are treated fairly and on par with other ridings, with… cabinet ministers?” asked Bolland.
“When it comes to Dundas Manor, I think it’s really important we get it done, and those aren’t just empty words,” said Quinn.
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“This makes me mad as hell,” said Gardner. “I know in this room we have people who have donated hundreds, and hundreds of dollars of their own money, not just to the manor, but to the Winchester hospital. And the idea that our fundraising keeps increasing, but the commitment from the province keeps decreasing… I too have been ignored…
“If I am your MPP I will sit at the table with you, not sending the message that comes from Toronto… we will get it done.”
A local nurse asked Gardner and Stephen their party’s commitment to repealing Bill 124. Bill 124, passed by the Ford government in 2019, has negatively impacted health-care professionals, as it mandates wage increases to a maximum of one per cent total compensation for three years.
“It’s gone,” said Gardner.
“Similarly, a very brief answer, we will scrap that immediately,” said Stephen.
Last scheduled SDSG debate sees five candidates in Chesterville - Standard Freeholder
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