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Huron Heights provincial leaders' debate turns rowdy By Liz Dadson |
Education/Provincial Election 2011 To Comment on this article Click Here |
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 Kaleigh Thomas (C) as Ontario Liberal premier Dalton McGuinty, and advisors Dhvanil Joshi (L), Neel Patel and Rachit Sood, outline the Liberal platform in the provincial election at the Huron Heights Public School leaders' debate Monday afternoon  Bethan Killin (R), representing Tim Hudak's Progressive Conservative (PC) party, makes a point, with advisors Hogan Allen (L), Jordy Surridge and Madison Johnston; Billie Patterson (in behind) plays the part of Hudak in the debate  Raven Sharp (L) replies to a comment on behalf of the New Democratic Party (NDP), with advisors Ryan Shantz (L), Carisa Clusiau, Amanda Martin, Owen Fohkens, Sam Thompson, Aidan Kober and Avy Mowle; Amanda and Owen share the part of NDP leader Andrea Horwath  Robyn Mercanti (C) is Green Party leader Mike Schreiner, with advisors Cooper Edy (L) and Braxton Gollan | |||||
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What began as a reasonable provincial election leaders' debate turned into a rowdy free-for-all as the Progressive Conservative (PC) party went head-to-head with the Liberal government. The debate was actually held at Huron Heights Public School Monday afternoon and the party leaders and advisors were portrayed by students. It was all leading up to the Student Vote which was held Tuesday (Oct. 4). Results will not be posted until after the provincial election Oct. 6. Moderators Jenna Easton and Bethany Clark welcomed the Huron-Bruce candidates who introduced themselves: incumbent Liberal MPP Carol Mitchell played by Patricia Dakin, PC candidate Lisa Thompson played by Laura Fohkens, New Democratic Party (NDP) candidate Grant Robertson played by James Adams, and Green Party candidate Patrick Marin played by Travis Anderson. The Family Coalition Party candidate Christine Schnurr and Independent candidate Dennis Valenta were unavailable.
The moderators allowed each party leader time for an opening statement and then opened the floor to questions. Kaleigh Thomas as Liberal premier Dalton McGuinty said the government is creating jobs for everyone, leading the way in clean technology, and has poured $4-billion into building 400 new schools, classrooms, campuses and laboratories."We have a plan and we're the party to put that plan in place. Let's go forward together." The NDP under the leadership of Andrea Horwath is prepared to make changes and reduce spending. It would force companies to clean up their mess, and would tax big companies more unless they are creating jobs. The PC party would put more money back into families' pockets. "Ontario needs change," said Billie Patterson portraying PC leader Tim Hudak. "We will fight to make things more affordable for families. Vote PC for a better future." Robyn Mercanti as Green Party leader Mike Schreiner said the party's platform is to preserve the environment for future generations. "We need to clean up the air and stop using non-renewable energy power plants. We need government in place that works for people. We need to change Ontario for the better." Questions ranged from health care and education to job creation and taxes. The Green Party said there are better options for health care spending than the current system that costs 50 per cent of the provincial budget. The PCs called for more hospital beds and shorter wait times. The Liberals have built 18 new hospitals, created 25 new Nurse Practitioner clinics and hired 11,500 nurses. There are 2,900 more doctors in Ontario and 1.3-million people now have a physician. "Ontario is a great place to grow up and grow old." The argument over who was the bigger "tax man" drew ire from both the Liberals and the PCs. "Tim Hudak is the real tax man," said Kaleigh as McGuinty. "No, Dalton, you promised not to increase taxes and what did you do? Increased taxes," argued Billie as Hudak. "Nobody trusts you anymore, Dalton." "The PCs will destroy Ontario," retaliated Kaleigh (McGuinty). "Tim Hudak is the attack man. He'll create new taxes." "Dalton is the one who promised not to raise taxes," said Shannon Ross of the PC party, "but you increased them anyway." "Lying is wrong," argued Kaleigh (McGuinty). At that point the moderator stepped in and allowed the NDP a chance to speak. "We're tired of being in the war zone between these two parties," said Raven Sharp of the NDP. "We're not the tax man. So, vote for the NDP and we'll make changes that work for you."  Travis Anderson is Green Party candidate Patrick Main
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 Riya Yadav (L) and Hailey van den Hogan, Grade 5, wave signs of support for their provincial parties  Jackson Alers (C), Grade 5 is surrounded by PC supporters, and one NDP supporter at left  Laura Fohkens is PC candidate Lisa Thompson
James Adams introduces himself as NDP candidate Grant Robertson He then turned to the Green Party and noted that it would make big changes by closing down the Bruce Power nuclear plant in Kincardine. "We would not shut down Bruce Power," said Robyn Mercanti as Schreiner. "We do not support the use of non-renewable energy plants, but we realize Bruce Power is important to this community." Teacher Sylvia Leigh, who organized the leaders' debate, showed the students the proper way to fill out their ballots and urged them all to be informed voters. This is the third Student Vote at Huron Heights. The last one was for the federal election in May. Scrolling stops when you move your mouse inside the scroll area. You can click on the ads for more
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