Nipissing-Timiskaming candidates from L-R: Ross Maclean, Anthony Rota, Les Wilcox, Al McDonald and Dave Fluri ____________________________________________________________ About 75 people gathered at the Mattawa Community Centre on Monday, June 14th t
Nipissing-Timiskaming candidates from L-R: Ross Maclean, Anthony Rota, Les Wilcox, Al McDonald and Dave Fluri ____________________________________________________________
About 75 people gathered at the Mattawa Community Centre on Monday, June 14th to listen to what the candidates in the upcoming federal election had to say.
Representing the different parties were David Fluri (NDP); Al McDonald (Conservative); Ross Maclean(Canadian Action Party); Anthony Rota (Liberal) and Les Wilcox (Green Party). The format for the evening included opening remarks from each of the candidates, a question/answer period and time for closing remarks. Rolly Ribout was the MC and Kareena Butler kept track of the time and acted as a translator. The Mattawa and Area Business Association and the Mattawa Recorder sponsored the night.
In his opening remarks, David Fluri highlighted his party’s platform. He outlined their eight key commitments and asked the audience to think about what kind of Canada they wanted to build.
Al McDonald said “The most important issues are those that impact our daily lives. We need to know that our government is not just listening to us, but working with us.” He promised that if he were elected he would be the hardest working MP in this riding.
Ross Maclean spoke on behalf of disgruntled taxpayers. He said “We’re running a David and Goliath campaign – we’re here because we care about our country and what the future will be like.”
Anthony Rota promised that he would sit down with municipal leaders to make a plan for Mattawa if he were elected. He said, “My job is to open doors and cut red tape."
Les Wilcox talked about big businesses and the banking system He said “We’re going round and round with the different politicians, the green party can stop the spinning. If you want a better world, vote green.”
During the question and answer period, people in the audience could ask the candidates about issues that concerned them. There were questions about the gun registry, health care, education, GST, the problem of affordable housing and the Kyoto accord.
Madame Yollande Belanger, a francophone resident of Mattawa challenged Mr. McDonald to answer in French her question about a bilingual country. He assured her in English that his Canada included both official languages.
Diane McGee asked the candidates what assistance they could provide for Mattawa’s new hospital and redevelopment project. The answer focused on the decision to increase funding for Sudbury and Thunder Bay, but not North Bay and Mattawa.
The last question of the evening was from Rolly Lejambe, a local Mattawa resident. He asked, “If your party was ever convicted of all the misdemeanours the last party gave us would you still support your party?”
All the candidates agreed on that one and answered no.
There was no interaction between the candidates at all. There were the usual comments from each of them about broken promises and misspent money. After the meeting many of the people in attendance were still uncertain who to vote for. They said it was the same old message, and there was nothing new for them to think about.
One lady said, “I’m just as confused as ever. Usually, I have an easy time deciding who to vote for, but not this time.” Michelle Lahaie-Doucette, a business owner in town said, “What we need down here are not talkers, but doers. Mattawa people are action people.”
Another lady said, “This time around we have to vote for someone with integrity. Someone who will work hard for the riding.”
Most people in the audience were in agreement on that – and were trying to figure out whom the best candidate was to serve here in Mattawa.
Thanks to Sue Bruemmer, of the Mattawa Recorder, for the story and picture.
