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www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Friday, June 6, 2014 | 4 Social issues on agenda of Unifor all-candidates meeting by Julia Le Oakville Beaver Staff Social issues were at the heart of most questions asked of the five candidates vying to represent residents in the Oakville riding at the 707 Galaxy Banquet Hall Wednesday night. An audience of approximately 100 people gathered at the 475 North Service Rd. E. facility to hear from candidates in the last all-candidates meeting in Oakville before residents go to the polls June 12 in the provincial election. The two-hour exchange was co-hosted by Unifor Local 707, Reclaim our Democratic Canada and the Oakville and District Labour Council. It opened with questions from the hosting organizations that candidates were given ahead of time about what each party's respective plans are to continue the ongoing strategic public investments at Ford of Canada's Oakville Assembly Complex as well as other auto sector plants in Ontario. Candidates were also asked about their commitments to protecting and enhancing democracy in Ontario, minimum wage and support for the not-for-profit sector. In what was a tame debate, each candidate answered questions briefly, was received with polite applause and then passed the microphone to the next candidate. Progressive Conservative (PC) candidate Larry Scott weighed in on why he wouldn't advocate raising the minimum wage in an effort to eliminate poverty if he were elected. "Poverty is a major problem in Ontario and I do not believe that switching around the minimum wage is the way to solve this problem," he said, noting the real problem is lack of jobs. "I know it's not the popular approach, but this conversation about minimum wage has been going on for years and years and years, so I think we Unifor Local 707 hosted an all-candidates meeting for Oakville riding candidates at the 707 Galaxy Banquet Hall. The meeting was co-hosted by Reclaim Our Democratic Canada and Oakville and District Labour Council. Pictured above from left are, Kevin Flynn, Liberal Party, Che Marville, NDP , Andrew Chlobowski, Green Party, Larry Scott of PC Party, and David Clement, Libertarian Party. | photo by Michael Ivanin ­ special to the Beaver 4.125" x 2.4837 " We install all kinds of wood and laminate floors "Refinish Your Wood Floor, Stairs and Railings Like New" We are licensed, insured serving Oakville residents since 1990 WOOD N' FLOOR We will beat every written quote! W Call KAZ 905-338-1881 | www.woodnfloor.ca need to start focusing on what the real problem is, not on the symptoms." Libertarian candidate Dave Clement said through academic research he's seen, increasing the minimum wage through legislation appears to be an "ineffective way of eliminating poverty." "Yes, we're against a $15 minimum wage, not because we don't want people making more money, we do, but because it's a bad way of getting a good outcome," he said. "I prefer unions to keep creating industry-wide agreements that act as a minimum wage, but are industry specific. This avoids negative conse- quences across the board legislation...." Liberal candidate Kevin Flynn said the Liberal government just increased the minimum wage to $11 an hour and has introduced further increases to match the rate of inflation. However, minimum wage increases aren't the only route to tackling poverty, he said. "There's a lot of other things we've (Liberals) been able to do with the Child Tax Benefit that have allowed families to take advantage of tax credits and benefits, to allow them to feed or clothe their families (and pay for) educational see Candidates on p.5 Come Visit Us at Call 275 Hays Blvd (By the corner of Trafalgar & Dundas - in the LCBO Plaza) 905-257-0067 To Contact Us. NOW OPEN IN OAKVILLE Other Locations Include: 2435 Appleby Line Burlington, ON 905.331.4477 1090 Wilson St. West Ancaster, ON 905.304.3044 Discover unique gifts ideas, beautiful home decor accessories, stunning jewelry for all occasions, the latest trends in ladies fashion and more! We Carry Your Favourite Brands: Pandora · Thomas Sabo · Brighton · DeLish · Clara Sunwoo Visit Us Online: apassionforliving.com