The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

8 - Oronu Weekly Times, Wednesday, November 22. 2000 Four of the five local candidates in next week 's Federal Election participated in a debate on Monday evening. Candidates from left to right; Progressive Conservative - Sam Cureatz, New Democratic Party - Ken Ranney, Christian Heritage Party - Durk Bruinsma, Liberal - Alex Shepherd. The event was sponsored by The Clarington Board of Trade, and Rogers Communication, and was televised. , There were a number of recurring themes from participants participants e at Monday evening's federal candidate's debate. P.C. Sam Cureatz hammered home the need for a strong opposition in Ottawa. Prevention of Cancer was NDP , candidate Dr. Ken Ranney's favourite subject.- The supremacy of God was the theme of Christian Heritage Party candidate Durk Bruinsma's campaign, while Liberal incumbent Alex Shepherd stood on the record of his government's past achievements. Canadian Alliance Candidate Gerry Skipwith did not attend the debate. The focus of many of the evening's questions seemed to be • centered around youth issues. On the question of child poverty, Shepherd stated that his government increased the child tax credit for low income families, introduced a program to teach young mothers mothers prenatal care and good nutrition. The Liberals also increased the maternity bene'-, fit period to one year, he said. Cureatz felt government should be setting aside funds for youth, "People are having a hard time keeping their taxes paid, sometimes families fall through the cracks," he stated. Dr. Ken Ranney said the NDP aims to not just abolish child poverty, but poverty in • general. They plan to do this by raising the personal income tax exemption to $ 15,000, and double the Child Tax Credit. "The CHP has the best solution of all," stated Bruinsma. The party proposes proposes a tax credit of $1,000 a month for families with school age children if one parent parent chooses to stay home. This would also reduce unem ployment. On the issue of rising costs for post secondaiy education, Ranney stated his party is willing jo give interest free loans to students seeking higher education. Cureatz would like to see some co-operation between the Federal and Provincial governments in support of students. Shepherd stated his government government introduced the Registered Education Savings Plan where the Federal Government will put $2,000 in a program to help parents save for their children's education. education. Shepherd also indicated indicated that the Millennium grants help students who want to go into post secondary education and may not be able to afford to do so. , How to get youth interested interested in politics was addressed by Bruinsma saying, "Politics needs family people. We need to run government like a family," family," he stated. "Young people instinctively instinctively know politics is corrupt," stated Ranney. '"The rich and powerful control everything," he said. "It's the 'faint hope' clause that brings me here." "I can tell you our system isn't corrupt," stated Shepherd who took exception to Ranney's remarks. In terms of protecting our water supply, Shepherd referred to his governments accord with the provinces banning the export of water. He also mentioned the $1.2 billion Federal government program to be shared with the provinces and municipalities, focused on improvements to water quality and waste management management systems. Cureatz stated he was for any kind of aggressive program- program- to support our fresh water supply. Ranney explained that naturally the NDP, the party of the ordinary people, would protect a resource used by ordinary people. Bruinsma said his party would be the best choice because, "We hâve compassion compassion for the ordinary people." Asked to identify the biggest issue facing this riding, riding, Cureatz indicated the biggest issue as he saw it was the lack of a strong opposition opposition in Ottawa. "This country is based on the supremacy of God," stated stated Bruinsma, "we have to listen listen to what God Supreme has to say, that is what's good for our Country. Shepherd mentioned that the health care issue had not been brought up yet. There are some problems with health care stated Shèpherd, like making the ' Provinces accountable for the .money they spend. ' , , Shepherd couldn't help but bring up the fact that the Canadian Alliance Candidate was not present. "It upsets me that the Canâdian Alliance are not here to talk to you about what citizens in Durham are concerned about. , Ranney, addressed the health care issue by stating that he had a petition directed at the prevention of cancer, at thé back of the room for sign ing. Bruinsma said the health care system could be run more efficiently by not paying paying for sex change operations and abortions. As a final wrap up, Dr, Ken Ranney said, if elected he would introduce a private members bill as soon as possible, possible, to investigate the environment environment for cancer causing elements. Shepherd said, "I've been your member of Parliament for the past seven years, we 'have a good track record." Shepherd has recently been appointed as Parliamentary Secretary to the President of the Treasury Board. Bruinsma says a vote for him will help bring the country country back to a country that is under the rule of God. Cureatz said, "we have to look at the big picture." Of the 103 seats in Ontario, 100 are presently held by Liberals. "To have a good balance of government, we need some opposition," he stated. Cureatz served two terms as an M.P.P. in the 1980's. The federal election will be held on Monday November 27, 2000. Voting will be done in the traditional method, where voters will have to go to their polling station station on election day, mark ( their ballot in private and deposit it. in a ballot box. Polls will be open from 9:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. IT PAYS TO ADVERTISE ♦♦♦♦♦♦ Corner of Taunton Rd. E. & Bethesda'Rd., Bowmanville, Ontario? 263-2293 Til Dec. 10: Saturdays & Sundays, 10 am - 4 pm Dec. 15 - 24: Daily, 9 am - 5 pm season Dec. 2 *, 2001, 10 am to m 11 piece set of clubs, rejj. $44900, now $|ÇÇ 95 11 piece set of graphite, ref. $595 00 > now Cold wearher gloves, rey. $28 9S > now Cart Bag, reg. $179 95 > now Putt ers, from rejj. $34 9S , now Maxfli 15 pack, re£. $27 95 > now $19 9S 40% QSotkng ♦ ♦♦♦ + + + + Breakfast Special: Bacon, B m s, Toast, Coffee fill