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The election in Canada is one week away. The choice of which candidate to choose can often be difficult. Thankfully, the Peterborough Chamber of Commerce was able to get each candidate to summerize themselves and their positiosn in a 500 word message for the Federal Election. They appear in the order we received them, and have not been edited.
From Betsy McGregor:
A Message for the Peterborough Chamber of Commerce
I was born and raised in Peterborough. My father worked 45 years at CGE and my mother at Fleming College. I have 3 siblings and a son, Mac.
I taught at St. Peter’s High School before obtaining my doctorate in Veterinary Medicine. I worked at the United Nations, Agriculture Canada, Industry Canada, the Canadian Institutes of Health Research and the Canadian International Development Agency, and currently lecture at Trent University.
My skills sets are directly related to what I see as the top priorities for Peterborough: jobs and the economic downturn, health care and the environment.
As our economy struggles and our environment worsens the Conservative government is sitting on the sidelines. A Liberal government offers all Canadians income tax cuts and tax benefits. We have a plan that will give businesses real incentives to tap into the green technologies of the future, a plan that starts now.
First and foremost, the Liberal platform is one of fiscal discipline, committed to a balanced budget. Historically, this has been the Liberal track record. In Peterborough
* for individuals it means a cut in the lowest income tax rate to 13.5 % from 15%, and middle-class tax rate to 21% from 22 %, and to 25% from 26%;
* for small businesses it means lowering the tax rate to 10% from 11%.
* lowering the corporate tax rate to 14% by 2013, making Canada one of the most competitive business jurisdictions in the world;
* creating a $1-billion Advanced Manufacturing Prosperity (AMP) Fund to help this key sector, which lost 130,000 jobs in 2007 under the Harper Conservatives.
* setting aside $1.7 billion in Accelerated Capital Cost Allowance rates, which will provide new tax benefits to Canadian businesses that invest in green technologies. As fossil fuels prices rise, this tax benefit will accelerate the investment in the technologies that will improve the competitiveness of Canadian companies;
* replacing the 31.5 % tax on income trusts, with a 10% tax; and
* improving the Science, Research & Experimental Development tax credit so that 25% is refundable.
Liberals will address the large infrastructure deficit, estimated at over $100 billion needed to bring our existing, roads, bridges, water and buildings up to standard, through long-term, predictable resources for our communities. Specifically:
A 10-year $70 billion plan that honors all existing framework agreements currently signed with the provinces.
$10 billion for Strategic Infrastructure, particularly green infrastructure such as clean water, sewage treatment and energy grids.
$8 billion for a National Transit Strategy to expand current systems and green transit fleets.
$3 billion for a dedicated Small Communities Fund so no community is left behind.
$4.5 billion for our country’s Gateways, Corridors and Borders to better facilitate tourism while keeping Canada safe and secure; and
$3 billion for Sports and Recreational Facilities to renew and expand arenas and leisure facilities to keep Canadians active and healthy.
Betsy McGregor
Federal Liberal Candidate
www.betsymcgregor.ca
From Dean Del Mastro:
Over the past 32 months, it has been my honour to represent you in Ottawa. A major priority for me is to work effectively by taking initiative and utilizing my position to help create a brighter future for all the communities in the Peterborough Riding.
The Chamber of Commerce has specifically highlighted four priorities that we need to address if we’re going to build a stronger future; both for business and by extension our citizens. The Chamber indicated four issues at the highest level of priority and I am proud that my priorities since taking office are a reflection of the Chamber’s views.
Upgrading the Toronto to Peterborough Eastern Rail Line:
This project is something I championed through the political system, demonstrating my business expertise with my ability to put together a solid business plan. I also demonstrating the influence needed to deliver big ticket items for the riding.
The Trent Severn Waterway:
Everyone knows that the Trent Severn Waterway has been neglected by successive governments for decadesso, I was very proud this past spring when our Government announced a $63 million dollar investment into the waterway. It’s also important that we continue a long term investment strategy to meet all Waterway infrastructure needs over the next decade as highlighted in the independent panel report titled Its all About the Water. With so many land-based visitors and the opportunity for many more, it is clear that our city’s waterfront master plan must consider all opportunities with a thoughtful and balanced approach.
Access to Health Care:
I’m really proud of our Federal Governments commitment and track record with regard to health care. We are providing more federal dollars for health care than any Government in history and were starting to see significant results. We’ve worked well with our Provincial counterparts and local health teams in addressing the needs. Real improvements are being made and I am proud that through collaboration of efforts by all governments we have reduced the waiting list for family doctors locally in half since I was elected.Completion of the Hwy 407 Link to the Hwy 115/35 Interchange:
Lastly, this link is critical to our business area. I am going to work hard to ensure that the extension is a public road and not a pay route where people will have access down to the 401 or if they continue, have access to a highway allowing them to bypass the traffic congestion found along traditional routes through Toronto.
It has been a tremendous honour working with area business and the Chamber to build a stronger, more prosperous, vibrant business community - one that will employ thousands of new people in the future. With your support I will lock in the gains we have made and will create many more over the next four years.
Dean Del Mastro
From Emily Berrigan:
The Green Party is fiscally conservative and socially responsible. Our fiscal plan is straightforward: Maximize efficiency. Use the tax system to help meet societal and ecological goals. Allow business to pursue profit, with clear signals of environmental and societal objectives of having more time for friends, family and community engagement.
Make no mistake: Canada and the world community face an environmentally linked, energy challenge of historic proportions. Our current economy is based on the existence of cheap, abundant energy, but those days are over. Green technology has been called the greatest business opportunity of this century, and all levels of government need to advance forth into a new low-carbon economy.
To advance this green economic vision, the Green Party of Canada will gradually and progressively shift current consumption taxes onto products and services that harm people and the environment while reducing taxes on income, products and economic activities that do no harm. As certain taxes increase, other taxes will decrease. And because the Green Party is committed to eliminating poverty, it would ensure that this tax shift would not unfairly the most vulnerable members of society.
Three areas of particular interest are our small business, community & infrastructure and agricultural economic plans. These plans would be funded through the carbon tax plan.
Small Business
We need to keep research and knowledge here instead of moving out of town or out of country. Most successful applied research and commercialization is done by small and medium-sized businesses, and these business "clusters" attract new businesses seeking the benefits of networking and collaboration. Small and medium-sized businesses are the only thing that creates viable local economies.
The Greens support the creation of a Small Cities Green Venture Capital Fund to match bank loans dollar for dollar for good, green business initiatives.
Communities
80% of Canadians live in urban areas. Canadians experience government most often at the municipal level, whether through garbage collection, transit or water. Yet, municipalities only receive 8% of tax revenue.
The Greens support creating six Municipal Superfunds to give stable funding for improved mass transit, upgrading water treatment and supporting a national housing strategy based on energy efficiency and Smart Growth strategies (as opposed to urban sprawl).
Agriculture
For centuries, family farms were the foundation of our society and economy. Over the last five decades, federal policies and subsidies have shifted food production from small ecologically-sustainable family farms to giant agribusinesses. This has given multinational corporations control over our food supply, with farmers increasingly relying on off-farm income to survive. The health of Canada’s population depends on the environmentally sustainable production of wholesome food.
The Green Party wants to expand local small-scale agriculture and support a rapid transition to organic agriculture. This must be done in a way that supports and is in collaboration with Canadian farmers.
Our comprehensive policy document
www.GreenParty.ca/VisionGreen
Our carbon plan, with data reviews on the effects on typical Canadian families and small business owners
www.GreenParty.ca/en/policy/CarbonTaxPlan
Smart Growth
www.SmartGrowth.org
Emily Berrigan
(705) 772 – 8378
moeberrigan@greenparty.ca
From Steve Sharpe:
Hello! I’m Steve Sharpe, Federal New Democratic Candidate for Peterborough. As a lifetime resident of Peterborough I’m proud of the businesses in Peterborough’s downtown. These businesses form an important part of the quality of life for the people of the city and area, so your concerns are important to me. For that reason, I’m proud of the New Democratic plan for Canada.
A New Democratic government pledges to keep the small-business tax rate at 11% and to maintain the corporate tax rate at 22.12%. Our plans are fiscally responsible, effective and good for all Canadians. Our goal is to create and maintain economic stability through introducing and maintaining balanced budgets each and every year of our mandate. However, keeping taxes stable is only part of the New Democratic plan.
Businesses in Peterborough will be helped by re-vamping the ecoEnergy programme to allow for low-interest loans and improved grants for energy efficient retrofits to your buildings. This will help small businesses to reduce their overhead costs. It’s good for the environment and its good for business. A $750 million Green Collar Job fund will also be available. This resource will aid employers in creating and funding jobs and training in the new environmental economy.
The New Democratic Party will also invest in healthcare, hiring new doctors and nurses to service this community. Improved healthcare means more opportunity in Peterborough and the surrounding area. This would be coupled with a comprehensive pharmacare programme. The reduction in drug cost will translate into a reduction in costs of benefits for employees. Again, we all can win.
Thanks for your time and remember to vote on October 14th!
Steve Sharpe
http://stevesharpe.ca
info@stevesharpe.ca
741-3244 Office Phone, 316 George Street |
