Four candidates for MP seat highlight legislative priorities

With the Canadian federal election fast approaching on Tuesday, October 14, all four of the New Brunswick Southwest candidates have scurried around the riding, meeting, greeting and introducing themselves and their party's platforms to anyone who will listen. The snap election call gave little time for putting up signs and scheduling meetings, but the four candidates C Conservative Party incumbent Greg Thompson, Liberal candidate Nancy MacIntosh, New Democratic Party candidate Andrew Graham, and Green Party candidate Robert Boucher C rose to the occasion.

On Grand Manan, Phillip Russell was found busy posting a notice of a debate to be held among the candidates. Gail McKenzie had posted, under "Federal Election," a notice on Facebook for a meet and greet and question period to be held at the island legion hall, and when contacted she said all the candidates have said they will be there. Nancy MacIntosh and Andrew Graham had been posting and replying to random questions from the Facebook audience. Greg Thompson was absent from the online forum.

The candidates were asked to identify the three main areas needing attention in Southwest New Brunswick.

Andrew Graham answered, "I see sustainable employment as one of the main areas needing attention. It is not right to keep reinforcing a boom-and-bust cycle. We need growth that does not promote an increase in prices." He points to the importance of rebuilding the rural economy, family farms and locally supported agriculture co-ops like Bantry Bay in St. Andrews. "We need to emphasize community relationships with small woodlot owners, working at sustainable wood lot management. Second, we need to grow communities that can support our youth, with good communication infrastructure that will provide them with everything they need to have good jobs, and afford raising young healthy families here in their own communities. Third, we need to strengthen our fishing communities. We need the Fisheries Act to work for the traditional fishermen and their communities, not the corporations. We can use our unique small but strong community building strategies to build tourism opportunities and network our way of life into being a major tourism attraction instead of a drive through. I believe tourism has great potential."

Nancy MacIntosh answered via e-mail: "Economy. NBSW is well positioned for sustainable development in the new economy. With our quality of life and willing workforce, we have the infrastructure to access world markets through the ports of Bayside and Saint John. We also have rails intact to access Upper Canada and New England and are the gateway to Atlantica. We are in the perfect place for producing goods and materials as well as new products and services. As your elected representative, I will work to promote our area both in Canada and around the world. I will fight for universal high-speed Internet and cellular coverage and will champion new and improved infrastructure to attract business to our region.

"Energy. Right now, NBSW produces over 65% of the energy for New Brunswick, but we are also the ideal location for wind, solar, tidal and micro-generation initiatives. I will actively seek companies to consider NBSW and would put pressure on my caucus colleagues to focus attention on us as a place for investment in research and development for new energy technologies.

"Eco-tourism. We have NB's two most significant tourism attractions for the eco-tourism market within our constituency: the Bay of Fundy and the Saint John River estuary system... Working with Tourism NB, Enterprise Charlotte and tourism operators throughout the riding, I will work to see further sustainable tourism development in New Brunswick Southwest."

Greg Thompson replied by cell phone. "With a riding like New Brunswick Southwest, there is such a diverse geographic and resource base that there are many important issues. Three I believe are very important are keeping the big issues of supply management open in international trade talks for the Sussex area C making sure their products for sale have access to the international markets. Second, for the Fundy Isles and the coastal communities, I believe keeping our fish stocks and our fishing industry sustainable for the future, while working with the aquaculture developing sustainable new industries, is an important issue. Thirdly, access C knowing that we need to have access to markets and they need to have access to us in order to promote things like trade and tourism C makes projects like building the third bridge in St. Stephen and twinning the highway an important part of promoting forestry, farming, fishing and other economic growth."

Robert Boucher said, "When I was collecting signatures in support of my candidacy, I had the opportunity to speak with a number of people. One comment that really stood out for me was an individual who indicated that of importance to him was jobs for young people. New Brunswick Southwest, not unlike many regions in Atlantic Canada, requires an infrastructure that can supply good paying jobs, allowing people the option to stay in the communities in which they grew up. The Green Party is ready to begin working on this infrastructure.

"I also believe that NB Southwest requires strong leadership regarding environmental issues, including keeping LNG terminals out of Passamaquoddy Bay and a ban on uranium mining.

"Thirdly, I believe that we must take advantage of the beauty of our region to drive additional tourism and thus further stimulate our region's economy. We are blessed by both the Bay of Fundy and the Lower Saint John River Valley in this region. The Green Party believes that we must foster a green, low-carbon tourism industry and market it responsibly throughout the world. We believe that we must provide exceptional tourist experiences by having the finest national park system, the best museums and cultural events and the most hospitable service. To do this the Canadian government must play a bigger role in coordinating and guiding efforts across the entire country."

The candidates were also asked what they would be bringing to Parliament if they are elected.

Andrew Graham replied that he would bring the experience of bringing up a family of five in New Brunswick Southwest as one of his greatest assets. He knows that the area needs a system which promotes more local and sustainable full-time jobs. As a carpenter by trade, he says he understands that a good foundation, and careful planning along with sensitivity, communication and teamwork, can create a stable, sustainable, healthy economy. He brings with him a team of like-minded people from the federal NDP, led by Jack Layton.

Nancy MacIntosh replied that she would bring 22 years of experience working inside the New Brunswick legislature in a variety of jobs. She would be a voice for fishermen, woodlot owners and small business. She would speak for the recognition of the Passamaquoddy people in New Brunswick Southwest. She believes that if she is elected it will help send a message to Prime Minister Stephen Harper: "We have a voice, you should have listened." She would support women in small business enterprises because statistically they are Canada's best employment creators.

Greg Thompson replied, "I will stand on my record. I have served as Veterans Affairs minister, representing the needs of their families, and our veterans. I have promoted the twinning of the highway and the third bridge being built in St. Stephen, promoting sustainable marketing, and transportation for our products. I have opposed the LNG ships going through Head Harbour Passage, protecting fishery stocks and fishing. I am opposed to Dion's carbon tax. I have worked hard for New Brunswick Southwest."

Robert Boucher replied, "I will bring to Parliament a vision for our future, but also an open mind. I believe that the best solutions will be arrived at when strong leadership is combined with open discussion, ensuring that varying viewpoints are accounted for and considered."