Campaign talk
Candidates visit chamber for meet and greet
Members of the Pictou County Chamber of Commerce attended a breakfast on Tuesday morning where they got the chance to hear from all 10 local candidates running in the provincial election.
Business owner Luke Young of Lucas Technology in Pictou asked about the balanced budgets brought forth by the Liberal government during its mandate, noting that he believes the current budget is balanced on the basis of significant disruptions to the education system.
“So my understanding is that future surpluses are being planned on the basis of similar disruptions to the health care system. Is this the case or is there an alternate path forward?”
Liberal candidate John Fraser, who is seeking election in Pictou East, said public sector employees such as teachers, nurses, judges, doctors and CUPE and NSGEU members received only small increases in their recent contracts as a way to control finances.
He noted that record equalization payments the province will receive from the federal government in the upcoming year have been earmarked by the Liberals for health care, including putting money into home care for the elderly.
“We are holding firm on public sector wages because we can’t afford otherwise.”
Progressive Conservative Tim Houston, who is looking for a second term as MLA for Pictou East, said he believes the budgets for health care, education and infrastructure were underspent during the Liberal’s time in office, and he noted that the most recent budget was tabled when the election was called.
“We can’t depend on things just happening in this province. We need to get people working.”
Houston said fewer people are working in Nova Scotia now than in 2012.
“That’s not a solution for success for this province. That’s why we need to focus on getting people working so we’re earning tax revenues in the province, and we can pay for the things we need instead of not doing the things we should be doing and claiming victory. People know this province is not being operated efficiently and effectively because they’re not getting the services they need and they’re driving these roads. They know that the money’s not being spent.”
The NDP’s Shawn McNamara said cutbacks in services by the Liberal government have angered people. While he believes in being responsible with spending, he said spending reductions in health care and education aren’t the answer.
“We’ve got to invest, and the NDP that’s our goal,” said the Pictou West candidate.
Jeff Davis of the Liberal party, who is running in Pictou Centre, said running a province is much like operating a household. “You just can’t spend more than you make.
The McNeil government has made a lot of tough choices about how we spend our money, but when you make those kind of responsible choices it allows new things to be possible.”
Tom Dewtie of Northern Pulp wanted to know how candidates would attract and entice younger workers to stay in Pictou County.
Fraser said he believes that’s already happening, with a vibrant seafood export industry, and local vineyards, hemp farms and oyster beds setting up.
“I’m pretty enthusiastic about what’s happening here in Pictou County. We have to build on it, we have to keep taxes low, we have to encourage innovation,” he said.
The Progressive Conservative’s Karla MacFarlane, who is seeking re-election in Pictou West, said her party’s platform will raise basic incomes, introduce an earned rate reduction, which allows companies to earn a lower tax rate, and work on increasing the immigration of professionals who will create jobs here.
Henderson Paris of the NDP said his party will invest in young people, establishing partnerships with entrepreneurs and small business while also supporting big businesses, along with attracting immigrants. “We need to create businesses and opportunities for all our residents,” said the Pictou Centre candidate.