Urban Vancouver

Burnaby-Douglas all Candidates Meeting

By wselent on January 12, 2006 - 11:06pm

Here is a pseudo-transcript based on my hand written notes from the Wednesday,
Jan 11, 2006 Capitol Hill Community Hall All Candidates Debate for Burnaby-Douglas riding for the Federal election. There are omissions and mistakes but it provides a semi-accurate flavour of what was said. Some of the Audience Questions (AQ) were particularly hard to understand or follow as some of the questioners liked to speechify.

This is the riding which Svend Robinson formerly held for a number of years and currently held by Bill Siksay of the NDP, his former constituency assistant.

Candidates are:

• Conservative (CON): George Drazenovic
• Communist Party of Canada (CPC): Timothy George Gidora
• Green (GRN): Ray Power
• Liberal (LIB): Bill Cunningham
• NDP: Bill Siksay (Incumbent)

Opening Remarks

CPC Q: "Why do you guys bother running?" A: Long and proud history The CPC has had elected MPs and provincial MLAs in the past. 80% of workers wealth goes into private bank accounts of the elite. In favour of Proportional Representation (PR). Oppose war. Used terms like "Rich Fat Cat", "people's agenda", "imperialistic war and aggression" and mentioned the www.communist-party.ca URL. [Only candidate to use notes while talking]

GRN - father and grandfather. Semi-retired, now running a flower shop in Vancouver. Worked in law enforcement background, conservative background, became interested in environmental issues via his children. Q: Why I'm involved? A: Air quality is an issue. One in ten Canadian children suffering from asthma. Food not necessarily safe. One in two children born after 2000 can expect to get diabetes. Summed up that it's best to vote for your conviction rather than strategically. Vote for me, the redneck green.

CON - Conservative, straight forward, straight shooting transparent policies of the conservative party. Attacked Bill Siksay for first running in 1997 in Vancouver Center riding, while the former MP of 25 years is now running in Vancouver Center. How an ex-PC is now running for the greens. Attack the Liberal candidate of being appointed for his candidacy over 2 Chinese-Canadians who wanted to run as a candidate. NDP is soft on crime, want to star in a Lord of the Rings IV movie. His top issues are jobs and the environment. The environment is not a cost, its an opportunity. BC has great potential for tidal and wind power potential. Air pollution in Ontario caused 6000 premature deaths. NDP and Greens want to shutdown economy to meet Kyoto. Liberal want to keep the status quo but will pay billions to foreign corrupt dictatorships for emission credits. He wants to offer incentives to innovate in the private sector. Choice of benefits for all Canadians or benefits for only a few. [Ran over time and continued despite multiple reminders from the meeting chair]

NDP - Pleased to be a member of Jack Layton's team. Used to work in Svend's constituency office for the past 16 years, Takes every opportunity possible to talk to the constituents. It's a challenge in a minority government since you need to be in Ottawa from Monday to Thursday in order to be there for a vote. Attended special meetings on poverty and highway expansion. Attended many community events. Asked by Jack Layton to be the Immigration critic and also concentrate on Human Rights issues. According to www.howdtheyvote.ca he's the 8th most active of new members of parliament. We had a budget bill. The NDP negotiated changes to the Liberal budget approved earlier by the Conservatives. Further investments made in post-secondary education, re-instated a housing program. More money for public transit and the environment. Ed Broadbent worked on ethical standards package, sadly the Liberals stalled it out. In this riding you have a viable 3rd choice.

LIB - Proud graduate of SFU, where I did my MBA. Liberal plan of giving to post secondary students 50% of their first and last year of tuition. To get away from provincial and federal "bun toss". Another one Billion for post-secondary infrastructure support. Member of Burnaby Symphony Orchestra. Shouldn't be forced to go to Vancouver to see a symphony.

Audience Question (AQ): Eroding purchasing power. What is your party policy?

CPC - Public sector decimated. At 6.4% unemployment that's still over a million Canadians. Only 36% of new jobs in 2005 were permanent. Others were temporary, part-time or self-employment. Food bank usage is way up, especially for working poor. [Heckler: Answer the question! Response: That's what I'm trying to do. ] Minimum wage of $12.

NDP - jobs - Infrastructure decayed, projects are down. 102 year old swing rail-bridge on Fraser river causes congestion and unsuitable for passenger traffic. NAFTA softwood lumber dispute has hurt us. Need to take it seriously. Propose a levy on energy exports to get America's attention.

LIB - [shot at NDP] That proposal would decrease Canadian jobs. We are the only country in the G7 with a surplus. We have a strong economy. We should be proud.

CON - Last time I heard the NDP talking about jobs they created the Fast Cat. Six of ten work in small business. Tax reduction of corporate tax from 12 -> 11% and lower threshold will create jobs.

GRN - I'd like to pay myself $12 an hour, it would be a $2 raise. Need tax relief for small business

AQ: 58% of BC voters recently voted for a more fair electoral system. What's your position on a more proportional system?

GRN - PR is part of our platform. NDP only talking about it now because they are going down.

CON - he would be a champion for the environment [not really answering the question asked]

NDP - mixed member proportional system, added it to the throne speech at the very beginning of the parliament session as an amendment when it looked like the minority would immediately fall. Liberals blocked progress. There should be greens in the parliament. There should be communists as well if they get above the threshold of support. We need more coalition governments. Jack Layton is skilled in coalition building

LIB - NOT in favour of PR, not right for Canada. Can't have a system that guarantees minority governments forever. Is very much in favour of a citizen's assembly based on BC's experiences.

CPC - in favour of mixed member PR

AQ: Growing militarization of the world. Working on a peace forum. Conservative supported going to war in Iraq, militarizing space. Canada has just raised spending for the military. [chair cut off, no clear question]

CON - We are not going to Iraq. I was in the military reserve. The military has a purpose. Emergency role, peacekeeping. We don't have the equipment to send troops overseas.

NDP - We all assume we are peacekeepers. But troops in Kandahar in Afghanistan are operating in offensive military operations in the mountains. We have Canadian soldiers in Iraq who are on exchange with Americans. Should cancel that. Also greet American Iraq war deserters the same as we did with Vietnam war deserters in the past.

CPC - get out of NATO and NORAD [strong audience booing], avoid being lapdogs of America, pull out of Afghanistan and Haiti.

GRN - anti-war policy, our military should not be in an offensive role

LIB - we have to be realistic and be prepared to participate in the bad stuff. First role is peacekeeping and disaster response but we need capacity to play a role in the world's affairs.

AQ: Rampant crime. Marijuana brings in more money than logging and oil for BC.

GRN - Prohibition doesn't work for marijuana. Ran in 1997 as a conservative and said then that it should be decriminalized. Attack the culture

NDP - should be decriminalized. We've been on all this too long. Turn them into taxpayers rather than organized crime. Deal with addiction as a medical rather than criminal affair. Need to get on with it.

CPC - Organized crime is the only beneficiary, go after real criminals, the tobacco industry

LIB - eventual decriminalization. Need to first shut down organized crime and their distribution networks or else they will take the business over.

CON - mandatory sentences for serious drug crimes. Choke off the supply of drugs. Also in spending on youth at risk program.

AQ: Arts and and Cultural friendly policies?

LIB - We doubled funding for the Canadian Council of the Arts

CON - I love the arts. I play the piano

NDP - significant NDP platform announcement today regarding tax averaging for artists. Similar to Quebec's policy. Increase funding for Council of Arts, ensure CRTC enforces Canadian Content on our airwaves. Target for domestic films on Canadian movie screens.

AQ - Federal labour laws, Telus is under federal legislation. What is your policy on strike breakers?

NDP - private members bill that I supported. Quebec and BC have it at provincial level. Even the BC Campbell government hasn't rolled it back. It helps keep labour disputes shorter.

GRN - fair labour practices, legislation is needed

CPC - reduces labour disputes and makes settlements fairer

CON - difficulties for hard working Canadians. I'm in agreement with Bill Siksay on this. [Heckler - Join the NDP party today!]

LIB - I would have voted in favour [ Heckler - Your party wouldn't let you!]

AQ: Stats on gun registry and C-68. Two Billion dollars, 80% of details in the registry are wrong, police diverted from real work to administrative work, 1700 more federal employees. The real problem isn't legal guns but illegal sun smuggling. How to deal with it?

LIB - support gun control, yes the program was mis-managed. Need an intelligence agency to help with gun and contraband smuggling.

CON - I don't know what Bill [Cunninghan, LIB candidate] just said. We've had a hand gun law since 1934. The problem isn't with legal handguns. There no' vision. Can't tell whether the Liberals will increase or decrease spending.

GRN - Unstaffed border posts, left empty after hours at remote locations.

NDP - The problem is not with legal handguns - I think its a bit of a shell game by the Prime Minister. We need more trained, armed customs officers. We need the Ports Police back. Most containers aren't checked. Need to take unstaffed border crossings seriously.

CPC - I agree. Spillover of gun culture from the States. Need to combat their aspects of the gun culture. See a movie poster for Mr. and Mrs. Smith. Young people think guns are a fashion item.

AQ: What are they going to do about our health care system?

CPC - Oppose two-tier healthcare. Provinces should not be allowed to spend Federal transfers to anything else. Nationalize pharmaceutical companies.

NDP - Wish I could channel Tommy Douglas' energy who probably campaigned in this very hall when he ran for this riding in the past. That was when getting sick often meant having to declare bankruptcy. We put together money back then only in public system. Provinces need to be accountable where the money is going. Need a home care system. Specific program for catastrophic pharmacare system. Reduce drug patent protections to lower drug costs.

LIB - healthcare not in collapse. Set the benchmarks, measure, share best practices and work collaboratively

GRN - Prevention is a large portion we're not addressing. Too much money going to Administration rather than front-line staff.

CON - personal experience visited a Doctor to look at his knee. It will take another 8-9 months to see a specialist. Then another 8-9 months if an ACL is needed. Still waiting for performance metrics. We need accountability. We spend more money per capita than almost anywhere else. Provinces will be held accountable with *guaranteed* [his emphasis] wait times.

AQ: Why is the deficit still going up even though there's a budget surplus? [Think she meant debt rather than deficit but unclear]

LIB - You are mistaken, the debt has gone down. We do have surpluses now. Money from unanticipated surpluses is split between tax cuts, debt reduction.

NDP - little dig at the Liberals, "Boggles the mind" that the Liberals can't predict a surplus. They use it as an excuse to avoid important social programs. If other organizations can *accurately* [his emphasis] predict Federal revenues and spending why can't the government? NDP [Provincial] governments have a better record than Conservative or Liberal ones for fiscal balance. [Per some organization - can't remember which one, Conference Board of Canada?]

CON - Paul Martin attached the deficit on the backs of hard working Canadians. EI surplus hits the poorest the hardest as it is a payroll tax for the first $39,000. It hurts Westerners more than other parts of the country. I'm ashamed of what Paul Martin has done to cut the deficit.

CPC - The problem started when we started borrowing from private banks. Stop paying interest to private banks. Instead pay interest to the Bank of Canada.

AQ: Commercial salmon fisherman. For 2 years not allowed to fish but yet still pay commercial license fees on his boat. What are they going to do about it?

LIB - [Said something initially that's it's not the government's fault there are no fish] Wild salmon we all identify with. Work with provinces on conservation. Let me give you my card and we can discuss this more. [gave card to questioner while other candidates spoke].

CPC - Bureaucrats in Ottawa are mismanaging fisheries. Their policies are bankrupting our "fishers".

NDP - Better to move DFO than Tourism bureau to BC. Need a community solution. Concerned about fish farms. They should use closed containment system. Helped a constituent with selling his fishing license. Amazed at the hoops that had to be jumped through. The system is not serving people well.

CON - No one in the Liberals was fired for the fisheries failure. Culture of entitlement by the Liberals.

AQ: What's your top priority for Burnaby?

NDP - Housing. Affordable housing, fix leaky condos and co-ops. Small summer program gave students summer jobs and entry to work. Chevron refinery needs to be monitored. Anti-scab legislation. Poverty is a hidden 27% is too high for Burnaby. Only 40% of workers who lose their jobs are eligible for EI rather than 80%.

LIB- Mountain bike trails on Burnaby mountain could be a major tourist attraction. 2009 Fire and Police games is an opportunity to showcase our community. Not to be in too much of a conflict of interest but local arts society. Share Bill's enthusiasm for co-op housing. Our MP has never talked to the MLA of Burnaby over shared issues.

GRN - feel safe after dark

CON - Chevron Refinery - allowed to emit 1600 tonnes of sulfur toxins by the GVRD in a predominately residential area. Tax credits to save money. Example of a $300,000 condo would be $3000 cheaper with 1 % GST tax cut. Family with two children getting an additional $2400. Tradespersons saving money on tools. Let's be straight forward with real ideas - not motherhood statements.

AQ: Daycare preference over child care. Majority of government daycare is mediocre quality. Why is your party doing regarding parental control of children?

GRN - The best people to take care of children are the parents.

CON - Policy empowers the parents. Liberals offers condescending wisdom. Flexible policy helps parents and employers of parents.

LIB - Creating more daycare spaces doesn't take rights away from people who want to stay at home. Their program is not just daycare but also early childcare learning.

NDP - Need more child care spaces [Heckler: How will we pay for it?] Because people need that. It's a great evener in our society if we do it properly.

AQ: Port Security, Status of Ports Police?

GRN- Traded for security guard, Bless their souls they try but a 1 week course at the justice institute is not enough. They aren't trained.

NDP - I said it earlier. We need to re-establish the ports police. Worked with the long shore union to ensure the security of the ports and also respects the rights of the port workers.

CON - Additional training and support for border personnel. Fill all RCMP vacancies, including here in Burnaby.

LIB - money put into new technology such as container screening technology. Not rule out re-introducing the Ports Police as an option. New security measures don't need to go as far as some of the proposed measures.

AQ: Federal funding for dredging of Burnaby Lake? Flooding in heavy rains.

CON - 10 million each by the Feds/Province/City. Protection of Burnaby Lake environment a priority. Salmon coming back.

GRN - conditional support only if any dredging plan includes settling ponds. It just refills again. 8 lanes for rowing is unacceptable anytime.

NDP - met with the mayor, naturalist/conservation groups. Strong environmental reason to do it to create an open water lake. Rowing facility is not appropriate. A similar urban lake in Switzerland has crowding issues. If Ralph Goodale can find money to dredge Wascana Lake in his community he can do it here.

LIB- The way to get things done is not grandiose statements. I support the Feds putting in 1/3 funding on two conditions: 1. oversight by Environment Canada to avoid stirring up toxic sludge. 2. The 3 levels of government in Burnaby don't work together collaboratively. Resisted Cadillac rowing facility. Doesn't need 8 lane international facility. But Mayor Corrigan is in favour and has been elected twice so obviously there is some community support.

AQ: Ethics in government. In particular the betrayal of David Orchard by Peter McKay.

CON - Harper is a uniter, not a divider. Brought together Red and Blue Tories and if I am elected then a Green one.

NDP - Whistle blowing legislation, Strengthened Freedom of Information Act. Disclosure and spending limits on leadership campaigns.

GRN - If anyone donates something to me then I'll have something to disclose.

Closing Remarks:

LIB - It's not easy to run as Federal liberal in this riding. It's not fair to label everyone in the party for the sins of a few. If elected as MP I will not comment on international affairs. I'm going to concentrate on this community. That is my single commitment. I want to earn your trust and votes.

CPC - I don't expect to head to Ottawa on Jan 23. The CPC has a message and some ideas. It will let government know that people want progressive changes.

CON - Jan 23 you have a choice, clean honest government or scandal arrogant government. Not belabour the scandals. Just look at the last 18 months. Martin said he'd improve relations with the U.S., issues like softwood lumber. Now he's battling with the U.S. ambassador. I don't just talk but am a doer. I took the bus to get here.

GRN - I didn't take the bus, I walked as I live only 2 blocks away. I would like to see the Conservative steal our policies, and the Liberals steal our candidates and eventually the greens will take over the parliament.

NDP - Great honour to serve as your MP. Our party platform is available on www.ndp.ca. There is a clear third choice in this riding. A clear third choice in Ottawa. We are a small group but we held our own and got results. What do the Conservative or the BQ have to show from the last parliament session? We want to do what Canadians wanted.