Candidates in the Beausejour riding voiced their views during a candidates debates that aired on Rogers TV over the weekend.
Numerous topics were discussed including seniors, youth, and EI reforms.
Incumbent Liberal candidate Dominic Leblanc says our province has the highest proportion of seniors in the country, and the more needs to be done to alleviate their financial stress.
He says, “We think the Government of Canada should have sat down with Premiers, like the Premier of New Brunswick, and other Premiers to say, if you have a specific demographic challenge, the Government of Canada has to step up and do more, and not simply run away from funding healthcare, as Mr. Harper has done.”
Green Party candidate Kevin King feels money should be going where we need it most, “We need to invest now, but we don’t need to borrow it. If you are taking monies and putting it into highways, when it should be going to seniors, then we are going to be short.”
Conservative candidate Anne Bastarache says more money needs to be spent on building more nursing homes in the province.
She says, “I want to work for our seniors, regarding the lack of nursing homes. The waiting list is immense, and we have to work on it. It is an urgency.”
NDP candidate Helene Boudreau says their priority to extend home care services for seniors, and get many out of poverty.
When it comes to casting a ballot, less and less Canadians are doing so, and that’s a big concern, especially with an election to be held on October 19th.
Candidates were asked how more Canadians can be encouraged to vote..
Kevin King of the Green party says targeting youth is the key.
He says, “The youth of the country are going to take over eventually. You might as well embrace it. We’re here to stay.”
Incumbent Liberal candidate Dominic Leblanc says parties need to be addressing the issues Canadians that are important to Canadians, “If parties are not speaking about issues that actually resonate with voters, we shouldn’t be surprised that they become more and more disengaged. The best way to get people to vote is to offer them something that will actually improve and change their lives in a sincere way.”
NDP candidate Helene Boudreau says it’s all about community, and letting them know that they have been heard.
She says, “If there’s one thing I have always done, no matter what level, if it is non-profit volunteering or as a Municipal Councillor,or anything, is to engage with the people. They make me realize what is important to them, and it is the same thing in return.”
Conservative candidate Anne Bastarache says talking to young people and letting them know that we do support them and their voice is being heard, will encourage more of them to vote.
With the number of seasonal workers in the Beausejour riding, EI reforms are a big concern for the residents, when it comes to deciding who they will vote for.
All of the candidates stated that there are changes that need to be made.
NDP candidate Helene Boudreau says many people are living in poverty because they are not eligible for EI payments, “We have to not penalize when there is no work and how do we do that. We want them to evaluate the best twelve weeks when they do work for their income.”
Conservative candidate Anne Bastarache says workers are waiting far too long to get their payments.
She says, “The waiting period for EI payments, two weeks, but then the payments come in two, six, eight weeks later. We have families, we have to pay our bills, we have to put food on our table, we have mortgages to pay. We do have to look at that, we do have to fix that issue.”
Incumbent Liberal candidate Dominic Leblanc says agrees with a reduction to a one week waiting period, but he would make other changes as well, “We would immediately remove the 910 hour eligibility rule for new entrants or re-entrants which has in fact penalized many workers.”
Green party candidate Kevin King says seasonal workers who are more apt to use EI, should be paying more for premiums, but ultimately, they should be offered retraining in an effort to get them working during their off seasons, and get them off EI altogether.
