Federal candidates tackle big questions in Picton

By Liam Radford

PICTON – Climate change dominated the conversation during the Bay of Quinte candidates debate Wednesday night at the Regent Theatre.

Photo By Liam Radford, QNetNews
The candidates covered a lot of ground and though they disagreed on a number of issues the debate remained civil.

Each of the five candidates; Liberal Neil Ellis, Conservative Tim Durkin, PPC Paul Bordonaro, Green Danny Celovsky and NDP Stephanie Bell agreed that the environment is in crisis, suggesting a variety of plans to fight it.

Bell spoke about her party’s plan to transition to a green economy through the Green New Deal plan.

Ellis answered that the Liberals will make it easier for people to make their homes green.

“We will retrofit 1.5 million homes over the next five years to help individuals and families make their homes more energy efficient, and better protected from climate related risks,” he said.

Durkin suggested that industry needs to improve their emissions and that new technologies could help protect the environment.

Some other big questions, from the Prince Edward County Chamber of Commerce and the Prince Edward Federation of Agriculture, were answered. These questions covered issues including supply management, increasing farm workers, developing infrastructure and small business.

The floor was open to voters to ask their questions. What the candidates are going to do to bring affordable housing to the region was the first question asked. Each candidate had their own plan, with all agreeing that housing is at crisis levels in the Quinte region.

Durkin said that encouraging the building of news homes will help, as the current supply is far to low.

Celovsky put forward a plan to build green housing co-ops with low rent, one bedroom units to help low income people.

Bordonaro spoke about how we have to show more compassion for people in difficult situations.

“It’s like we treat animals, picking them up off the street and housing them, better then our own people,” he said.

The event had to be extended because of the number of people asking questions. The questions period ended on a note that puzzled all of the candidates.

One man asked what the candidates will do to protect the Quinte region if the US and Russia engage in nuclear war. Three of the candidates passed on the question.

Durkin said he doesn’t think it is a imminent threat. Celovsky disagreed saying he thinks this is a serious issue.

“It’s right up there with, we can joke about it, but it’s a real threat. It’s right up there with the climate crisis, and basically that takes global leadership to keep a lid on it,” he said.

The night finished with closing statements from the candidates urging people to vote.