From left, Randy Hoback, Estelle Hjertaas, Harmony Johnson-Harder, Kelly Day and Brian Littlepine took questions from the public Tuesday night.(Michael Joel-Hansen/paNOW Staff)

By Michael Joel-Hansen

Hearing from the voters

Candidates field questions at P.A.election forum

Oct 9, 2019 | 8:38 AM

Prince Albert voters heard from the full slate of locally-based contenders seeking to represent them at the federal level Tuesday evening.

Carlton Comprehensive High School played host to a moderated forum featuring five of the six candidates who are on the ballot.The event was organized by the P.A. and District Chamber of Commerce. This was also the public’s first chance to hear from the Veterans Coalition Party’s Brian Littlepine.

During their opening remarks each had a chance to lay out the key elements of their platform and make a direct appeal for support. The Conservative Party’s Randy Hoback spoke about how he was hearing from people concerned about the direction of the country under the current Liberal government. Liberal Estelle Hjertaas touted what her party had done for the region in terms of infrastructure. The NDP’s Harmony Johnson-Harder focused on her party’s bold strategy for housing. Kelly Day, who is running under the banner for the People’s Party of Canada spoke about her worries in regards to the influence of the United Nations on the country.

Richard Ahenakew asks Don Cody to draw a question from the hat (Michael Joel-Hansen/paNOW Staff)

After reading their opening statements, written questions were drawn from a hat and put to the candidates. One of the questions asked was on reforming Canada’s federal tax system. Day said her party is supportive of the issue.

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Changing the tax system

“Not only are we open, yes, to doing a review of our taxation system, we are looking to somewhat overhaul our taxation system,” she said.

Littlepine also called for changes to the country’s tax code, in particular cutting, with the goal of one day eliminating the goods and services tax (GST). He felt the overall system needs to be reviewed.

“I think what has to happen is a Royal Commission needs to be established to look at our taxes,” he said.

Johnson-Harder said there needs to be reforms to ensure corporations and wealthier people don’t use loopholes to avoid paying their share.

Hjertaas said the issue is not one in her party’s platform, but spoke about changes brought about which make it easier for people to file their taxes. Hoback said he would support a review of the system, but would like it done by a body outside of government and the provinces also brought in.

Universal pharmacare

The issue of introducing a national pharmacare program also came up. Littlepine supported creating such a system as he said he’d met many people struggling to pay for their medications. Estelle Hjertaas spoke of the Liberals’ initial moves towards such a system. Johnson-Harder said universal drug coverage along with expanding overall health coverage was a major plank in the NDP platform.

“We are 100 per cent behind it, including optical care and dental care,” she said.

Both Hoback and Day liked the idea of expanding coverage, but both were worried about the costs of paying for the program. Hoback added there are already concerns from the provinces in paying for what’s already in place.

“They’re screaming already from the provinces that they’re not getting enough federal transfers to do basic health care,” he said.

Reconciliation

Candidates were asked what they would do to advance reconciliation and the role they saw for Indigenous-owned businesses in the effort. All on stage agreed about the importance of supporting the growth of Indigenous-owned businesses in various ways and agreed Indigenous people needed to be at the forefront of that drive.

Johnson-Harder spoke about the need for government to embrace the true spirit of the treaties. Littlepine said the public needed to be educated about what the treaties mean and their role.

“We have a treaty relationship between First Nations and all Canadians,” he said.

Just over 100 people came out to take in the forum according to organizers (Michael Joel-Hansen/paNOW Staff)

The only candidate not in attendance for the forum was the out-of-province Green Party contender who was entered into the P.A. race after the sudden withdrawal of the locally-based candidate.

MichaelJoel.Hansen@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @mjhskcdn