As the Oct. 6 election approaches, we’ve asked the provincial candidates in this riding the following questions:
A. What are your thoughts on Muskoka’s loss of northern status? Will the area see a return to northern status if you or your party is elected?
B. Where do you stand on the HST?
Parry Sound-Muskoka MPP Progressive Conservative incumbent Norm Miller:
A. The decision to remove Muskoka from northern Ontario for the purpose of accessing government programs was implemented by Dalton McGuinty in 2004. It was mean-spirited and caused hardship for families and seniors in Muskoka and Parry Sound districts who have tried to access the Northern Health Travel Grant and other programs. This decision was not based on fact and is another example of poor judgment shown by the McGuinty government.
B. “As finance critic, I and the PC caucus introduced amendments to try to have many necessities, like energy, home heating oil, gasoline and a whole host of services exempted from the addition of an eight per cent provincial tax. Families are struggling to stretch their budgets to cover the HST. They’ve been forced to cut back on all kinds of services; like landscaping fees, haircuts and dry cleaning. That is why the PC party is proposing that the HST be removed from home electricity and heating bills.”
Green party candidate Matt Richter:
A. “It makes it difficult in an electoral district to unite a riding when some constituents live in the north and others in the south. Additionally, it doesn’t correspond with the federal model. For instance, FedNor funding is available across our riding, yet provincial initiatives designated for northern Ontario are available in Parry Sound and Almaguin, but not Muskoka.
Imposing on the residents the decision to remove Muskoka from the north was illogical! Ultimately, I am committed to putting Muskoka back in the north so that all residents of Parry Sound-Muskoka can benefit from northern status.”
B. “The HST has increased the cost of sustainable services that prevent disease and promote health. This logic is backwards. The Green Party of Ontario recognizes that we are faced with a health-care crisis that needs to focus on making healthy activities and products as accessible as possible.
The GPO believes that the most effective strategy is to refocus government revenue back to the people to make it affordable for people to be as efficient as possible through an expanded Ontario Home Energy Savings Program to enable home and building retrofits and to provide incentives for fuel-efficient cars.”
Liberal candidate Cindy Waters:
A. “The northern designation benefits municipal infrastructure initiatives it is true, but the Liberal government has uploaded more than $15 million in municipal programs that were downloaded by the Harris PCs. This uploading has been a great benefit to municipal governments. Municipal councillors have said they find the current Liberal government to be good municipal partners for the many projects now completed.
Northern status for Muskoka? Perhaps not. Respect for our geography, geology and environment, definitely.”
B. “HST tax reform is about creating jobs and growth for our economy. Small business has benefited in more streamlined record keeping. A stronger economy will help us continue to create new jobs in Ontario with a highly educated workforce in a clean, healthy environment.
Is the implementation of HST easy and popular? Nope! But the direction is clear and clean. We will keep working together to invest in our strongest asset — our people.”
NDP candidate Alex Zyganiuk:
A. “Of course Muskoka deserves northern status! This isn’t just about buying cheaper vehicle licence plates. The issue is one of access to a wide range of facilities, and it’s also one that speaks to our identity.
Muskoka’s economy is completely different to central Ontario. Ours is based on cottages and tourism, something better supported by northern status. When elected, I will actively support Muskoka’s return to the north.”
B. “Too many families are struggling financially. For many, the added burden of the HST means they’re unable to cover their monthly bills. Often the choice is between putting food on the table or heating the home.
Gas prices are making it difficult for people to simply drive to work, especially in northern communities like ours where public transit is not an option.
There are ways to make life more affordable for everyone. An NDP government will eliminate the HST from necessities such as home heating, gas and hydro. We have to change the way we do things and start putting people first.”