Candidates sound off on election issues

ONTARIO VOTES 2011.

MUSKOKA -- To kick-off provincial election coverage 2011, we’ve asked the candidates for Parry Sound-Muskoka what they think will be the single most important issue in the Oct. 6 election.

Parry Sound-Muskoka MPP and Progressive Conservative incumbent Norm Miller: “Over the last eight years, I have heard more and more from the people of Parry Sound-Muskoka about the personal financial challenges they face. Life has become increasingly unaffordable; whether you are a senior on a fixed income or a middle-income family trying to make ends meet. People I talk to are afraid of what the next bill holds and wonder how they will pay for it all.
“With the addition of a health tax, harmonized sales taxes on hydro, gas, home heating oil and many other previously exempt services, as well as the huge increases in hydro costs, local families and seniors are struggling to keep their heads above water.
“Mr. McGuinty has already promised that hydro bills will climb another 46 per cent over the next four years, which is over and above the eight separate increases to rates that customers have already experienced. And his smart meters only serve to further punish businesses and seniors who don’t have a choice of when to use energy.
“Because of Dalton McGuinty’s auto insurance policies, families are paying more for premiums while their benefits were cut in half, making auto insurance premiums in Ontario the most expensive in Canada.
“Before each of the previous two elections, Dalton McGuinty promised he would not raise taxes. Almost immediately he broke that promise. He will break it again if he is re-elected. Members of his cabinet have already mused about the addition of a carbon tax or increases to the provincial portion of the HST.
“Families in Parry Sound-Muskoka simply cannot afford another four years of the McGuinty tax-and-spend government.”

Green party candidate Matt Richter: “Naturally, the issue that is most relevant to one person may vastly differ to that of his or her neighbour. However, there is one issue that has continued to surface since I ran in the 2007 election: frustration with the political process.
“People have sensible solutions to their day-to-day challenges, but they feel that they are not being heard by the government. Instead of having the best ideas put forward to meet their needs, I frequently hear of the financial, logistical or emotional sacrifices being made to accommodate a ‘top-down’ style of government. I believe in a government that emphasizes community involvement and respects the local decision-making process.
“For example, constituents feel frustrated that health care represents nearly 50 per cent of the annual budget, yet cuts continue. For years, health professionals and community members have advocated for a strong focus on disease prevention and health promotion to ensure that our hospitals don’t experience overcrowding and insurmountable deficits.
“Had the current government acted on the sound advice that a healthy lifestyle leads to a healthy population, perhaps funding would be available to meet all of our health-care needs without compromising an overall balanced budget. Ontario is approaching a $200-billion accumulated deficit and each year fails to balance the budget.
“Constituents want a new approach to government, one where they come first. They want a government that rejects artificial promises and short-term thinking focused on getting votes. Parry Sound-Muskoka needs an MPP that is willing to plan for the future just like individuals, families and businesses do. It’s time for the Green Party of Ontario.”

Liberal party candidate Cindy Waters: “Leadership. It takes good leadership to tackle the future. During a really volatile economic period felt across the world, we have managed to improve the health-care system. Eight years ago we had Canada’s longest surgical wait times; today we have the shortest and more than a million more Ontarians have a family doctor.
“We started North America’s first full-day kindergarten. Our public schools are ranked the best in the English-speaking world.
“Eight years ago, Ontario had 10 wind turbines; today we have 900. David Suzuki calls our green energy policy an example to the rest of the world. And this year, Ontario created more jobs than in the rest of Canada combined. Local municipal leaders have told me that the current Liberal government is a good partner in uploading the $15-million cost of programs that were downloaded by the previous Harris government.
“This quote from Wayne Dyer resonates with me when I consider this election period and I invite everyone to consider it. ‘When you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change.’
“That quote, along with the knowledge we have on how we impact each other and our planet should force us into positive action for our future. Education, green energy, jobs and innovation in how we can keep each other and our planet healthy can remain our focus.
“Einstein said the most fundamental question we can ask ourselves is, ‘Do I live in a friendly or hostile universe?’ He said the answer to that question will shape your life.
“Consider this: continued action in green energy, keeping each other and our planet healthy, continued focus on education? Or Hudak’s chain gangs and focus on sex offenders? To me the answer is clear and that is why I’m challenging this election.”

New Democratic Party candidate Alex Zyganiuk: “I believe the No. 1 issue in our riding is jobs. That’s really important to a lot of our members in the Muskoka-Parry Sound district. The YWCA has said as much as 40 per cent of people in our riding are making less than $30,000 a year. That shows the need for concern for poverty in the riding.
“Also giving people fair and equitable wages and benefits for their families. Those are two factors in the situation with jobs and poverty. The YWCA also sends out a message that our riding is one of the highest in Ontario in regards to poverty, if not in Canada. This is what I’ve been hearing in conversations with people in the riding.”

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