CONNOR LUCZKA, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
It’s hard to have a discussion on affordability and not talk about a universal livable income, Kathy Douglas said.
Douglas was one of the attendees at the Local Community Food Centre’s Meet the Candidates event on Feb. 11, the second event in a special election series where residents could come and discuss with their neighbours some pressing issues facing them.
That evening, Jason Davis of the New Democratic Party (NDP), Matthew Rae of the PC Party of Ontario, Ian Morton of the Green Party of Ontario and Ashley Fox of the Ontario Liberals – and a newly declared James Montgomery of the New Blue Party – gathered with potential voters and discussed four key issues: housing and land use, affordability, education and health care.
At the affordability table, when the issues of transportation, food security and rent were brought up, Douglas suggested a universal livable income was a necessary part of the conversation.
“A guaranteed living income is a really good idea that should be considered and highly recommended,” Douglas said. “People have agency when they have a guaranteed living income – and not a basic income, a livable income.”
She wasn’t the only one who thought that. A universal livable income and its viability in Ontario was repeatedly brought up and discussed by residents.
While all five attending candidates came to the affordability table and discussed the issues at hand, hearing what Douglas and other residents had to say, they were encouraged to listen and not delve into policy, though occasionally veered into that arena.
After the discussions, each had a few minutes to address those who attended.
All of the candidates thanked the United Way Perth-Huron and the Local for organizing the event and encouraged everyone to get out and vote – either on Feb. 27 or before through advance polling or by mail.
Rae focused on his track record as the incumbent, promising constituents he will continue to advocate for them and bring much-needed investment into the region.
“We heard a lot about affordability, health care, education here tonight – and housing, of course,” Rae said. “I know all of it sort of meshes together. I know in the past three years, I've worked diligently to work with all of our councillors locally, all of our municipalities, with our federal representatives and all the organizations in the room this evening as well, advocating for personal management, ensuring that we're getting investments in our rural communities. If re-elected, I will continue to do that.”
His opponents also focused on his government’s track record, pointing out many of the areas of discussion that night surrounded where Ontario’s current government is falling short.
In her time slot, Fox encouraged collaboration across government levels to address the issues at hand.
“My synopsis from this evening is that we need to get the basics right, and that's something that we are incredibly lacking in Ontario,” Fox said. “We need to work on housing. We need to work on affordability. Health care is a primary concern. We need to collaborate across all levels.”
Davis, meanwhile, felt disheartened that the key issues this election are not negotiables – that they are essentials.
“If you do not have housing, you will die. If you do not have functional health care, you will die. If you cannot afford food, you will die,” Davis said. “We should not be having conversations about the basic necessities of life at this level. That means that something is wrong. It means something is broken.”
Montgomery, new to the race at that point, agreed with Davis that the issues are essential to life and added that personal freedoms are an important issue for him this election.
“There are things that I definitely would like to work to address; … housing, affordability, finding where we're not meeting our goals and rectifying that, encouraging people (and) emboldening them with their individual rights and freedoms, making sure that they're safe from … their own government and the people around them.”
Morton echoed points the other candidates brought up and added that no matter who people in Perth-Wellington vote for, they will have a representative with their best interests at heart.
“You need to continue to advocate for these issues,” Morton said. “You need to make sure that that we have a government that stands up for the people because that's who they represent, that they listen to you, that they respond to you, that they take your issues seriously and take measurable, real action on those issues.”
Will Wellington, social research and planning specialist with the United Way and one of the organizers for the election series, said he was pleased with the evening – especially since this format was untested.
“We really wanted to run an event where voters and candidates could talk together, and I really heard that going around the room,” Wellington said. “I heard voters sharing their personal experiences. I've heard them sharing their visions and their good ideas, and I heard and I saw candidates listening to that and absorbing that. So, I think it was very successful. We're excited, of course, to hear what people thought and hear their feedback.”
The provincial election is Feb. 27. For more information, see the Times’ cover story or visit Elections Ontario’s website, voterinformationservice.elections.on.ca.
Comments