Cameron, Bevan-Baker clash during debate
Leaders field questions on taxation, housing, economic policy
CHARLOTTETOWN Green party Leader Peter Bevan-Baker and Liberal Leader Sharon Cameron clashed during several exchanges at a debate of P.E.I.'s political parties March 21.
Progressive Conservative Leader Dennis King, meanwhile, ignored criticism from his Green, Liberal and NDP opponents, instead emphasizing his record governing during a tumultuous time.
The leaders' debate, held at the Delta Hotel in Charlottetown, was organized by the Greater Charlottetown Area Chamber of Commerce and Downtown Charlottetown Inc. At the debate were Bevan-Baker, Cameron, King and Michelle Neill, representing the Green, Liberal, PC and NDP parties respectively.
Many of the questions focused on issues related to the economy, including taxation, housing and infrastructure policies.
As the 90-minute debate went on, Cameron and Bevan-Baker frequently clashed over these and other issues.
Cameron said she has heard from businesspeople who fear an “anti-business” trend in policy. She cited a legislated quashing of rent increases of up to 10.8 per cent, which had been approved by the Island Regulatory and Appeals Commission, and “aggressive minimum wage increases.”
“The unfortunate reality is that, in many of these instances, the Official Opposition Green party was in total agreement with these same policies,” Cameron said.
“We should expect that because it's driven by Green party ideology. The PCs' apparent anti-business position is another matter. I suppose in the end it's simply politics."
Cameron pledged support to first-time home buyers, increased social service payments and more rental supports for low-income Islanders.
Bevan-Baker called these remarks “some pretty divisive statements.”
He argued for the need to balance societal needs and the economy.
"What's not good for the economy is a failing healthcare system. What's not good for the economy is not being able to provide suitable housing,” Bevan-Baker said.
Bevan-Baker said he would index tax brackets to inflation and increase the low-income tax threshold to $25,000.
King ignored the criticisms from Cameron and BevanBaker.
“I don't think one party owns the good ideas,” King said. “I think I've demonstrated over four years that I'm open to work with everybody to develop and implement good ideas."
King also pledged to lower taxes by increasing the basic personal exemption to $15,000 over the next four years.
Neill pledged to raise the minimum wage to $17 an hour. She also said she would ensure “proper use of taxpayer funds” by ensuring federal and provincial health dollars “are not thrown away into shareholder pockets through the privatization of health care."
The jousting between Bevan-Baker and Cameron continued.
"There's a difference between being divisive and being responsible,” Cameron said.
“You won't see the Liberal party taking placards and joining protests.”
Bevan-Baker then said he would focus his remarks on the record of the King government because “the job of the Official Opposition is to critique government.”
He said his Green party caucus has brought forward good ideas and has held government to account.
“We have brought forward more pieces of legislation than any other Opposition and we have thoughtfully and vigorously held this government's feet to the fire,” Bevan-Baker said.
In response to a question about solutions to the province's housing shortages, Cameron said the last Liberal government under Wade MacLauchlan had established a housing action plan lead by a cabinet committee.
"Much of the new affordable housing built in the last four years was a product of that plan," Cameron said.
"Well, the Liberal party did not do better, they did worse," Bevan-Baker said in rebuttal.
"It was Liberal and Conservative governments not doing their job that led to the situation we have now."
King said a re-elected PC government would put in place a rent-to-own program for renters and would put in place a $25-million fund to help municipalities build housing.
"We're trying to streamline the process within government to make sure it's easier to get permitting – and to get rolling on these projects – which has been a tremendous impediment for development in our province," King said.
Neill said her party would put in place better solutions than "gimmicky short-term rental vouchers.”
She said the NDP platform included a pledged to build 5,000 publicly owned housing units and put in place a “25 by 25” requirement for government funding to developers.
"Which is 25 per cent of government developments are kept affordable for 25 years," Neill said.
The leader of the Island Party, Ahava Kálnássy de Kálnás, was not at the event. A representative from the chamber later told SaltWire Network the timing of the new party naming a leader, which happened last week, did not allow an invitation to be extended. The chamber will be submitting debate questions to the Island Party and posting its responses.