Thread by @LoveWilmot

These are the #KitCon candidates who will be taking part in the New Hamburg Board of Trade's election meeting at 7pm today. CPC candidate Carlene Hawley said that she would participate but withdrew earlier today. us02web.zoom.us/j/84320510055

John Zehr is moderating this evening. 37 people are attending, including the candidates. The candidates will make opening statements, in alphabetical order. Each will get 3 minutes.

Owen Bradley is not currently in the meeting. Kevin Dupuis (PPC) will deliver his opening remarks first. He says many small businesses went bankrupt while large box stores flourished. He is against vaccine passports. He's tired of being lied to by the government about COVID.

Owen Bradley (GPC) is now in the meeting, so he will be giving his opening remarks. He says he was hoping to discuss fiscal responsibility with Carlene Hawley (CPC). Why do we keep trusting the same two parties? He said he would hold the govt accountable when warranted.

Next to speak is Tim Louis (LPC). He says it's been a privilege to serve as MP during a difficult time for the country. Swift, decisive action delivered when it was needed. Vaccines made available for Canadians, 2 months ahead of schedule. Hosted 45 town halls to stay connected.

Narine Dat Sookram (NDP) is next to speak. Says some of the scripts tonight seem like they were written by a high school drop out. He talks about his career as a social worker. He says he's held 365 town halls in one year. He's a smart individual who has a lot to offer.

No opening statement from Carlene Hawley (CPC), who agreed to participate in this meeting, but then decided not to attend.

First question asks how the candidates will address the labour shortage.

Dupuis (PPC) says people don't want to return to work because of the funding programs from the government. He says we need to remove the fear of returning back to work.

Louis (LPC) says we need a next generation of skill trades. Talks about training programs at Conestoga College, as well as government funding programs for apprenticeships.

Dat Sookram (NDP) understands filling the gap. We need to educate employers to recognize the skills in individuals. Make sure everybody who is able to can join the workforce. "We will bridge that gap."

Bradley (GPC) wants to retool and retrain people, and help them to move to other parts of the country as they seek new opportunities.

No response from Carlene Hawley (CPC), who decided not to attend.

Next question: What will you do to enhance long term care for seniors?

Louis (LPC) would help people to age on their own homes. He lists several financial programs that will assist with this. He talks about setting better LTC standards for provinces to follow.

Dat Sookram (NDP) talks about an elderly woman who said she voted for him. He shares a story about his parents and their use of technology. We don't have to be in a political position to make change.

Bradley (GPC) echoes the LPC plan. Nurses should have a living wage. LTC workers should have access to fulltime hours with benefits.

Dupuis (PPC): Throwing money at the problem won't solve it. Would give provinces with stable healthcare funding. Ottawa should stop meddling.

No response from Carlene Hawley (CPC), who chose not to attend.

The next question is about diversity and inclusion in the community.

Dat Sookram (NDP) says he was pissed off by propaganda from the LPC he received today. NDP is inclusive and will bring in everyday people and Indigenous people, "not us deciding what is best for them."

Bradley (GPC): Fully respects all persons of all backgrounds. Would join with LPC to strengthen hate speech legislation, including criminal and judicial proceedings. Great opportunity to create better lives for people who don't feel included.

Dupuis (PPC): Says PPC has been labelled as racist, blames Warren Kinsella. Says it was dirty politics. Dupuis says he was accused of not wanting to fly a Pride flag when he was on WCDSB, wanted an inclusivity flag. Says we are all children of God.

Louis (LPC): Racism exists in Canada and needs to be addressed. Not good enough to be non-racist, must be anti-racist. LPC is addressing racism head-on. Talks about summits he attended, and education. Not saying anything creates a vacuum of hate.

No response from Carlene Hawley (CPC), who chose not to attend.

Question 4 is about rising cost of living.

Bradley (GPC): Wants to get the economy back in order to create stability. Canada didn't follow the best practices that were available to us during lockdowns.

Dupuis (PPC): Wants to reduce the tax load on individuals, inc reducing HST. Talks about smaller government; "libertarian with conservative values". "We want you to spend less taxes." Says he's there for small businesses and entrepreneurs.

Louis (LPC): Affordability is what he's hearing while canvassing. Mentions $10/day childcare which will get more people into the workforce, particularly women. CPC would tear that up. Mostly hearing about housing affordability, and would end blind bidding, ban foreign ownership.

Sookram (NDP): "What is affordable to me might be different for someone else." Says he doesn't know who is copying who with the $10/day daycare plane. NDP would ensure seniors are well taken care of. Student loans will be forgiven up to $20,000.

No response from Carlene Hawley (CPC), who chose not to attend.

Last question is about food security and COVID-19.

Dupuis (PPC): Thinks farmers should be able to sell their products to other provinces. So much has been given up in trade deals, more than other countries. Govt and media are fearmongering about COVID. Says Bernier has been campaigning without being vaccinated.

Louis (LPC): Sits on the HoC committee on agriculture. Has been a vocal supporter of local agriculture sector. Is also on rural caucus, has met with many in the farming industry. Will protect the supply management system. "Ran out of many things; we did not run out of food."

Sookram (NDP) will offer funding to farmers. They need equipment and the ability to work safely. "When farmers are successful, so are we." Pitches for votes and asks people to be open-minded.

Bradley (GPC): Supports improving yields and quality. Mentions land trusts to ensure that lower level of govt can't rezone agricultural land for other purposes. Wants a better contact tracing system.

No response from Carlene Hawley (CPC), who did not attend.

Closing statements now. First is Sookram (NDP). Has met many people virtually. "As a person of colour, I received the short end of the stick." Referring to his party, he says it's time for a new name and a new face. Says Louis reading from a script "is a dangerous thing".

Louis (LPC): 2 years ago he was elected as a progressive voice in Ottawa. Since then, he's secured $100m in funding for #KitCon, more than his CPC predecessor managed in his time in office. Has worked tirelessly every day to ensure community had what it needed during pandemic.

Dupuis (PPC): Says we all want freedom to speak, freedom to assemble. Says he's chosen not to live in fear, which is the direction the media and govt has pushed us in. Hope is more powerful and is the greatest of motivators.

Bradley (GPC): Communities that choose and elect GPC candidates continue to trust them. "We work hard when we get elected." GPC helps make other parties better.

No closing statement from Carlene Hawley (CPC), who rescinded her decision to participate in this meeting.

Moderator John Zehr urges everyone to vote.

/End