Halton Hills Newspapers

Independent & Free Press (Georgetown, ON), 24 May 2018, p. 30

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th ei fp .c a Th e IF P -H al to n H ill s | T hu rs da y, M ay 24 ,2 01 8 | 30 From environment, health and education to economy, candidates for the Wellington-Halton Hills riding took a deep dive into regional and provin- cial issues at the first all candidates debate. The Georgetown Cana- dian Federation of Univer- sity Women held the first debate-style event, at the John Elliott Theatre in Georgetown, bringing out all four candidates and a crowd of interested voters. "We are fortunate to have more than two col- ours," said Diane Ballan- tyne, the NDP candidate in her opening remarks. She said that after 15 years of the Liberals being in power, the province is ripe for change. "If they wanted to set things right, they would have done so by now," she said. Jon Hurst, the Liberal candidate, was quick to de- fend Premier Kathleen Wynne and the Liberal gov- ernment. "I think they have ac- complished more than many are aware of," said the Halton Hills councillor, who took a month's leave of absence from his municipal role to run provincially. "Why would I run against Ted Arnott?" he said, speaking about the current MPP who has held office for over three de- cades in the region. "I am running against the poli- cies of Doug Ford." Hurst said that in the past weeks Ford has proven untrustworthy through his remarks about the Green- belt, and his inability to confirm what sorts of bud- getary cuts his conserva- tive government would make. "In the end, you will en- ter the poll, and you will vote for the candidate you trust," Ted Arnott, Con- servative MPP for Wel- lington-Halton Hills, said in his opening remarks, ex- plaining that throughout his service for Wellington- Halton Hills, he has always worked with the constitu- ency's best interests in mind. While he admitted his party won't be leading the province, Green party candidate Dave Rodgers explained that his party can provide some integral alternative viewpoints, if members win legislature seats and work with the province. "There are many critical environmental issues in Wellington-Halton Hills," he said, adding that he is here "to offer you a choice to vote outside the three- ring party circus." The moderator asked questions about crucial election topics that were previously submitted by residents. The first was about how funding is allocated for schools in Ontario. "The Green party has a strong commitment for a unified school system," said Rodgers, who said the Greens would work to unify Catholic, public and French immersion schools to find more efficiencies. Arnott vehemently dis- agreed, saying, "We need to maintain and continue to fund Roman Catholic schools." He did say that there needs to be a review of the funding and grant system for schools. "The Liberal govern- ment has violated my con- tract," said Ballantyne, a teacher at Centre Welling- ton District High School, explaining that she sees first-hand the scramble at school boards each year to make ends meet with the funding provided. Jon Hurst said that the Liberal government has worked hard to make Onta- rio's school system some of the best in the world. Candidates were asked environmental questions like whether they support cycling and public transit, and how they would work to combat climate change, and fight sprawl to protect farmers in Halton Hills. "Acton is pretty well sur- rounded by the Greenbelt," said Hurst, adding that Ford's statements about opening up the Greenbelt, simply can't be trusted, even after he changed his tune. "There are whitebelts that are available for devel- opment," he said. Ballantyne said that the NDP government has a ful- ly costed and publicly avail- able economic plan, which includes a food and water policy that will support young farmers. "If farmers are doing NEWS Provincial candidates square off at CFUW all candidates meeting ALEXANDRA HECK aheck@metroland.com l See CANDIDATES, page 31 Title road Work haltonhills.ca 11 Temporary Road Closure Due to Event haltonhills.ca haltonhills. Temporary Road Closure Due to Event Notice is hereby given in accordance with the provisions of the Municipal Act, S.O. 2001, and Town of Halton Hills By-law 2008-0020 regarding the following temporary road closure for the purpose of the following community event: Georgetown Farmer's Market - Every Saturday between June 2 and October 13, 2018 from 6 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Main Street from Church Street to James Street. Organized by the Georgetown BIA. 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