Candidates answers questions on hot button issues at Town Crier debate
A chance for voters to grill candidates leading up to Sept. 17 byelection vote
By Kris Scheuer
(Written Sept. 11 for Town Crier)
John C. Turmel causes a disturbance in audience after voters chose not to direct questions to him. Photo by Francis Crescia/Town Crier.
PC Sue-Ann Levy voices concern over the Liberals' handling of eHealth. Photo by Francis Crescia/Town Crier.
Liberal Eric Hoskins shares his views at the debate. Photo by Francis Crescia/Town Crier.
The race to replace former MPP Michael Bryant in the riding of St. Paul’s heated up Sept. 10 at the Town Crier’s all-candidates debate. Nine of the 10 registered candidates took to the stage in front of a standing-room-only crowd of some 350 raucous residents, business people and party supporters.
About 20 people in the audience peppered the candidates with questions about the environment, health care, education, homelessness and taxes.
The Town Crier kicked off the discussion by asking candidates to respond to concerns the proposed Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) would result in increased rents.
New Democrat Julian Heller said Premier Dalton McGuinty’s proposed HST was a bad policy.
“The HST is the wrong tax at the wrong time. It’s unfair to seniors, students, unemployed and families,” said Heller, who has lived in the riding for 25 years and ran for MPP twice before. “And don’t be fooled it will be passed on to tenants through (utility) costs. It will result in an increase of three percent in tenant rents.” Continue reading
Kris Scheuer 