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www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver, Wednesday October 8, 2008 - 5 Candidates stick to issues at Chamber debate By Tina Depko OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF It was a tale of two debates. The Oakville Chamber of Commerce held back-to-back all-candidates meetings Monday night at Glen Abbey United Church for both the Oakville and Halton ridings, but there were very different outcomes. While the lively Halton debate kept the audience on the edges of their seats, with heated personal attacks between the Conservative and Liberal candidates, the Oakville hopefuls were fairly docile in their responses, rarely becoming overwhelmed by their emotions. The first question of the night seemed appropriate for the type of day it had been, with the further slide of the Toronto stock market. Candidates were asked how they would help local businesses and employees in light of the financial turmoil in the United States. Green Party candidate Blake Poland said that Canada is not immune to the economic downturn in the U.S., adding that free trade is not helping the situation. "We have to acknowledge that globalization and free trade are not the wonders we were promised," he said. "Many jobs have moved offshore, where labour is cheap and the environmental standards are next to nonexistent. If you've been in Wal-Mart lately, you've seen the tags `Made in China', and nothing against China because they have a right to develop as well, but I think it is time to bring jobs back home. We should be promoting buying local." Michelle Bilek, of the NDP, said that focusing on green industries could stimulate the economy. "We have to gear towards a green economy," she said. "We want to keep jobs in Canada. We will provide lead- People are strange! them over to things we want less of, my at the same time." "With our restrictions on greensuch as pollution, and take the extra Young said that the Canadian pub- house gases in this country, 20 per and give it back to people through lic has been instrumental in lowering cent by 2020 and other restrictions, I income tax cuts so that they can offset greenhouse gas. think we can win this battle." the rise in things like heating your "This year, in the last 12 months, Bilek's said the solution is implehome," she said. "It has all been greenhouse gases in Canada have menting the NDP's plan to target polworked out by economists... this is gone down by 2.3 per cent and it isn't luters. the only way we can tax environmen- anything a government did, it is what "We are going to make big polership to keep jobs in Canada and tal degradation and boost the econo- ordinary people are doing," he said. See Green page 9 encourage innovation and help everyone balance their budget." Conservative hopeful Terence Young said his party is already doing a lot to help Halton businesses and employees. "We are keeping more money in Halton," said Young. "Universal child care benefits keep about $39 million in Halton than keeping it in Ottawa. The tens of millions of dollars in GST savings is money that stays here in Halton to be spent here, $60 million in the gas tax rebate stays here, capital investments come in at $33 billion in partnership with the provinces." Liberal candidate and incumbent Bonnie Brown said immediate action is needed to help the economy. "All the signs are pointing to a fairly serious downward trend in our economy, probably a recession," said ALL-NEW 2008 DODGE GRAND se s for Brown. 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