Two Tories go toe-to-toe
Clarke and Houston clash at PC leadership debate in Sydney
The five-person Tory leadership race turned into a oneon-one war of words between Cecil Clarke and Tim Houston during Thursday’s night debate in Sydney.
Houston, the perceived frontrunner, immediately took a subtle jab at Clarke, who is seen by many as his closest challenger. In his opening statement before some 350 Nova Scotia Progressive Conservative party faithful gathered at the Joan Harriss Pavilion, Houston pointed to Clarke’s two terms as Cape Breton Regional Municipality mayor and 10 years in legislature to paint him as a career politician, while offering himself up as a political newcomer with fresh ideas.
“It didn’t take me 18 years to figure out how the government works,” said Houston, who spent 20 years in privatesector business before he became the MLA for Pictou East. “I’ve been in the legislature for five years, I’ve seen how government operates, and I know it’s a mess and I’m still mad.”
However, the first real volley was fired when Houston and the other candidates were answering a question about economic development. Holding up the Magna auto parts plant in North Sydney and the heavy water plant on the outskirts of Glace Bay as examples of business that failed because there was “no business plan,” Houston then questioned Clarke’s plans to develop Sydney’s port assets.
“We need a government that has the ability to assess and understand business plans and go forward with things that matter. In your community you have a wonderful port. You should be looking for broad-based economic development for that port, not putting the eggs in one basket. If there’s a business case for a container terminal, the market will do it. I’d love to see your business case. I don’t know if it exists, but I hope it works.”
Due to the debate’s format, Clarke had to bide his time before he could answer back. But a question about child poverty evoked an ardent response from Clarke, who described growing up on welfare before slamming Houston’s track record.
“I know what’s it like to figure out as a kid what’s the right formula of Carnation milk to water so that those puffed wheat are going to grow a little bit more and get a little bit more sugar on them.
“You criticize a plan; you don’t have a plan Tim. I’m trying to do something to help the community get out of welfare, and I make no apologies. I’ll take all the criticism that you can throw my way, because the fact that I haven’t heard one idea for the economy of Cape Breton to take children out of poverty, to help seniors have supports in their home and restore the dignity of the individual. I’ve lived this and I will believe and take care of the seniors and our citizens in trouble,” said Clarke who garnered the loudest applause of the night with his remarks.
Houston immediately used one of his rebuttals to ask Clarke to open up the port file to the public.
“We all want to believe that you can have a successful container terminal here. We all want to believe that it’s possible. I subscribe to hope, but I don’t subscribe to false hope. What I would ask, Mayor Clarke, if there’s a business plan, maybe you’ll share it with us all? I want to believe.”
Clarke used his second rebuttal of the night to keep the fiery exchange alive.
“I was on public accounts and I realized you like to ask a lot of questions; I like to provide answers, and they’re called solutions, not rhetoric. You’ve not said one thing. Say one plan you have for Cape Breton right now. One thing for this region, for economic development for this region. Just one, please.”
Houston again rebutted, this time taking a poke at Clarke’s 100-point platform —“100 more positive changes for CBRM” — from his mayoral reelection campaign.
“I’m glad Cecil acknowledged his ‘100 More Promises’ because I think you got four or five of them done. You have a wonderful port asset there, but you don’t put all of the eggs in one basket. Let’s look at marine supply, let’s push for further expansion of the coast guard services. Offshore supply. There’s all kinds of opportunities for here. More shipwrecking — not on Archibald’s Wharf — but more shipwrecking. There’s lots of opportunities for this community.”
Clarke used his final rebuttal to point out that there are marine services and ship recycling operations in Sydney harbour.
“You haven’t been paying attention because you haven’t been on the ground and you haven’t provided solutions. You’re talking about what we’re actually doing here. But if you stay behind for the next two days, I’ll help educate you on the plan for the port. I’ll help educate you about the issues affecting this region. I’ll help educate you about child poverty. I’ll help educate you and I’ll provide you with answers and at least you might offer up something in exchange.”
The two went toe-to-toe in their closing statements.
Houston once again played on Clarke’s extensive political experience and track record as mayor, saying the party needs a leader with “real-world analysis” and “out-of-the-box thinking” to regain power.
“We need to try something new. We need to start somewhere. Now ask yourself: who has laid out real, substantial ideas to improve this province, not just 100 more empty promises? We need change in this province.”
For his part, Clarke said he takes pride in his accomplishments as a lifelong civil servant. He said his passion for politics
came from watching his grandfather, a municipal councillor, “help everyday people with everyday problems.”
“Well, by someone’s definition here, I’m a career politician. And let me tell you, I’m damn proud of it. I’ve committed my life to public service,” Clarke said.
“I’ve got thick skin and I’m ready to govern, I’m ready to lead Day 1 for you and all Nova Scotians. I’ve been doing it. I’m running for government because I’ve been leading a governemnt, not chasing one.”
This was the fourth of six debates scheduled in the leadership
race.
Clarke and Houston, as well as Cumberland North MLA Elizabeth Smith-McCrossin, Kings North MLA John Lohr, and Julie Chaisson, who ran for the party in Chester-St. Margaret last year, will meet up in Bridgewater on Sept. 11 —which is also the final day people can become party members — before the final debate Oct. 10 in Truro.
Registered party members will choose their next leader at a convention in Halifax on Oct. 26-27 to vote.