Freedom Flyer Winter 1988-89 Cover

Freedom Flyer 13

the official newsletter of the
Freedom Party of Ontario

Winter 1988-89




Article electronically reproduced from:

The Guardian Express

October 29, 1988


Provincial candidates square off with media

By Guardian Writer
DAVID EDGAR

Under the hot lights and tough questions the five Welland-Thorold provincial byelection candidates sweated a little as they met a panel of media questioners in a televised debate at Niagara College Thursday evening.

Panelists, Paul McPhee from CHOW Radio, Pat Barevich from the Welland Tribune, and Guardian Express editor Ted Thurston quizzed Freedom Party candidate Barry Fitzgerald, Progressive Conservative candidate Brian O'Brine, Liberal candidate Mike Lottridge, Independent candidate John Turmel, and NDP candidate Peter Kormos for 90 minutes. Peter Marina of CHOW Radio served as moderator of the forum.

Kormos and O'Brine were most clearly on the offensive, placing Lottridge on the defensive, while Turmel attempted to outline an alternative position to that of other candidates, and Fitzgerald stuck to his theme of individual freedom of choice on most issues.

ENVIRONMENT

Thurston asked candidates if they would force polluting industries to clean up their operations even if in the short term this would result in job losses. He also asked candidates for their position on attaching criminal charges to convicted polluters.

Fitzgerald said he would force the industry to clean up even if it meant a loss of jobs.

O'Brine would force a clean-up but does not support foisting criminal charges on polluters because he doesn't feel this is necessary with appropriate government legislation.

"We can't make compromises when it comes to the environment," said Lottridge.

Turinel suggested that the government pay people to clean up the environment.

Kormos supports laying criminal charges against polluters. "When one corporate executive goes to jail, a strong message will be sent to others."

Fitzgerald claimed Kormos was irresponsible as a city alderman for allowing sewage to be dumped into the Welland River. Kormos said this was untrue.

FREE TRADE

In response to McPhee's questions on free trade, candidates were asked to explain their position and the deal's impact on grape growers.

Turmel, Fitzgerald and O'Brine support free trade. O'Brine expresses sympathy for grape growers, and supports their rejection or the recent compensation package offer. "They're right to reject the first offer," said O'Brine.

Lottridge likes the idea of free trade but doesn't like this deal. He blames Mulroney for the grape growers difficulties, while O'Brine blames Ontario Premier David Peterson.

Kormos noted how Mulroney flip-flopped on the issue of free trade, being opposed to it prior to his election. Kormos opposes free trade.

ECONOMIC GROWTH

"How do you achieve economic development?" asked Barevich. After outlining a plan to attract business by promoting Welland, Lottridge was asked why he moved his business from Welland to St. Catharines. He claimed that his move was prompted by a lack of appropriate commercial space in Welland.

Kormos said that expanding Hwy. 406 from a two lane to a four lane highway would improve local economic growth rates.

O'Brine warned not to look to the Liberals for help, and Fitzgerald called for lower taxes and more job retraining programs.

Candidates were asked to solve the hospital crisis.

Turmel began by claiming that the system, as it exists, is incapable of solving the hospital crisis. He said that people must examine his platform of "people service instead of interest service," if there is any hope of dealing with any one of our numerous crises.

Kormos and O'Brine slammed the provincial Liberal government. Kormos accused the Liberals of "abdicating its commitment to health care." Saying the Liberals accused hospital administrators of inefficiency, O'Brine noted that the Liberal government had expanded its bureaucracy by 7,000 since being elected. He questioned their priorities and said, "Who is calling who inefficient."

Lottridge said he sits on the board of directors for the Shaver Hospital in St. Catharines and is well aware of the difficulties that hospitals are facing. He clarified his position regarding underfunding at Welland County General Hospital, maintaining that the $1 million grant from the health ministry was not a bailout but awarded on the basis of a reassessment. He said that the hospital will receive up to $1 million each year from now on, when deficits occur, in addition to the standard increases that all provincial hospitals receive.

The media panel seemed surprised, asking Lottridge to clarify if he was stating that the provincial government had in fact not only given a "one-time bail-out", but was promising to maintain the increased budget grant of $1 million in all future budgets. When Lottridge restated the same commitment the panel indicated that the revelation was news to them.

SUNDAY SHOPPING

Kormos and O'Brine oppose shopping on Sundays. Kormos said, "Sunday shopping means Sunday work." He also noted that by letting the municipalities decide for themselves, pressure would be placed on municipalities deciding not to open, because of neighboring municipalities which decide to open. In other words, they will be put at a competitive disadvantage.

O'Brine expressed concern that the legislation would place more unneeded pressure on the family unit.

Fitzgerald said that the Retail Business Holiday Act should be scrapped because it is full of inconsistencies. He supports the right of people to work on Sundays and business to open.

Lottridge defended the Liberals' position of allowing the municipalities to decide for themselves.

Turmel said that with all of the problems we are facing, Sunday shopping didn't rank high on his list of priorities, however, he supports Sunday shopping.

DRUGS

On a question from Thurston, candidates expressed concern over the infiltration of drugs into society.

Kormos blames the federal government for cutting budgets, forcing the Niagara Regional police to close down a department which dealt with drug enforcement.

O'Brine suggested beefing-up our commitment to drug enforcement instead of expanding the provincial bureaucracy.

Lottridge stressed improving enforcement regulations and educating the public.

Fitzgerald did not allow for individual freedom in the case of drugs. He emphasized that improvements in drug education were necessary.

Turmel said that drugs should be treated like alcohol, and that it could be a matter for the LCBO.

TOP ISSUES

The primary issue in this campaign for Lottridge is who will be the best representative, promising he has the desire and ability to be the best representative for Wellanders, in the tradition of Ellis Morningstar and Mel Swart.

Fitzgerald is concerned with the erosion of individual freedom in Canada.

Turmel believes monetary reform is the most pressing issue Canadians must face.

The environment, and the development of a vision to guide future development based on grassroots participation, is the top issue for O'Brine.

Kormos said he is committed to ensuring that the "Mel Swart tradition", of working hard for the average person, and being accessible to the public, is maintained.




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