(RCFA photo)
Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke voters had a chance to hear from several of their candidates at a meeting hosted by the Renfrew County Federation of Agriculture (RCFA), in partnership with the Arnprior Region Federation of Agriculture, Wednesday evening at the Cobden Agricultural Hall.
Amid warnings of an imminent winter storm, about 75 members of the public attended, along with about 35 on a livestream arranged at the last minute.
On hand for the meeting were Marshall Buchanan of the NDP, Kevin Holm of the Ontario Party, and Oliver Jacob of the Liberal Party.
A format that included prepared questions, rapid fire and fast-round segments and audience questions laid the foundation for a discussion on a wide range of topics including agriculture, health care, renewable energy, U.S. relations, gender-affirming care and even whether pineapple on pizza is acceptable (all candidates said yes!).
Moderator Keanan Hunt, RCFA president, asked candidates to describe their leadership style in three words.
As far as the local issues they are most passionate about, Holm listed the health care crisis, Buchanan said local food and Jacob said recruiting family doctors.
Candidates all agreed that health care is the biggest challenge facing rural Ontarians.
As to how the government can address this, Holm said to continue to implement support services like Renfrew County VTAC, Buchanan said improve admin support for family doctors and paramedicine and Jacob indicated more support is needed.
What’s an infrastructure investment rural Ontario needs now? All candidates tagged Highway 17 as a top priority.
Candidates were asked, beyond primary agriculture, what ideas they or their party have to foster new industries and create job opportunities in rural eastern Ontario.
Buchanan suggested improved agri-tourism, as well as value-added processing, noting there is nowhere to get poultry slaughtered and a backlog to get livestock slaughtered.
Jacob said the key is to create conditions that will entice businesses, as well as workers, to come to the area to stay. Holm said the Ontario Party would provide tax benefits and wage subsidies to business and encourage entrepreneurship.
An audience question asked candidates would address the fact that people young and old are having trouble making ends meet and homelessness is on the rise – leading to hopelessness for some.
Holm said the issue needs to be identified.
Buchanan said we need to connect young people with seniors to share their lessons. Jacob said it’s important to have programs and services available and make sure that resources like food banks are adequately resourced and also take steps to make life more affordable.
Not in attendance were Progressive Conservative candidate Billy Denault, Mark Dickson of the New Blue Party, and Green Party candidate Anna Dolan.
(Written by Sherry Haaima)