Voters who turned out to take part in the Taber election forum last week at the Heritage Inn heard a colourful variety of political accusations and platform promises from the local candidates vying for the Medicine Hat riding.
Although scheduled on Thursday evening of the long weekend, the forum still drew a good sized crowd interested in hearing local candidates’ perspectives on the record of their respective parties.
Present to speak were Liberal candidate Norm Boucher, the NDP’s Dennis Perrier, Conservative incumbent LaVar Payne, and Graham Murray representing the Green Party. Frans VandeStroet of the Christian Heritage Party declined to attend the forum.
Candidates responded to questions from the floor regarding spending promises, taxation, water issues, decorum in the House of Commons, the possible nature of another minority election outcome, and funding for local recreation, among other issues.
Dennis Perrier of the NDP stressed the importance of public programs and the interrelationships that exist between these programs and Canada’s business community.
“The NDP party believes that what I want for myself, I want for all Canadians. We believe in social democracy — that is pooling tax money for the common good. This has manifested itself in public programs of all kinds, and we’re used to it, including public pensions, education, unemployment insurance, money for the environment, new aboriginal policies, child tax credits, women’s programs. Canada is at it’s best when there’s a balance between these strong public programs and a vibrant business community. This partnership is crucial — one cannot live without the other.”
Liberal candidate Norm Boucher attacked the financial record of the Harper Conservatives and attempted to poke holes in their claims of brokering prosperity for Canadian families.
“The Liberal Party of Canada has a platform that is oriented towards your family, your future, and your Canada. We have heard repeatedly that families are worse off now than they were five years ago, when the Conservative Party and Mr. Harper were given a mandate to lead Canada. Now, our democracy is in peril. The Conservatives will give you statements that are false about how great they have performed. They have lost touch with Canadians — when they started out five years ago, when Mr. Harper took the chair, he inherited $15 billion in the positive. It was a surplus. Now we’re $56 billion in the hole. They want to buy 65 new military aircraft now that are going to cost $30 billion, at a time when our military is being pulled out of Afghanistan — we’re finished that mission.”
Incumbent LaVar Payne lauded the Conservative Party’s record on the economy and the success of the Economic Action Plan, both in Canada and throughout the riding, as proof of his government’s legitimacy as the one clear choice for Canadian voters.
“Let’s talk about our Conservative record. Prior to the global recession in 2008, we paid down over $37 billion of debt. This global recession was not made in Canada. In response to this crisis, we met the challenge head on with our Economic Action Plan, designed to create jobs and induce economic growth during the worst economic downturn since the WWII. Funds were committed to over 23,000 projects across the country and in our riding. Since July of 2009 we have created over 480,000 jobs. Our economy has grown over the past five quarters — our plans are working. I’ve brought over $40 million in federal funding to our riding to complete much-needed projects, stimulate the economy, and enrich communities and the people who live in them.”
Graham Murray of the Green Party pilloried the Conservative’s Economic Action Plan as an ineffective approach and a case of too little, too late.
“Since the recession began in 2008, thousands of jobs have been lost, and still not replaced. Today, Canada’s unemployment rate is at 7.7 per cent, and is double amongst youth. Many Canadians are stuck in part-time or temporary jobs. I ask you — has the Conservative-led Economic Action Plan been effective?”

“When Canada has billions of dollars in infrastructure debt, updating a few buildings or roads will not produce permanent progressive job growth in the long term. Canada can brag about being in the best economic position in the G8, but that is not a reason to stall environmental and social issues or halt support for economic growth. If Mr. Harper says Canada’s recovery is so fragile, then why has the economic stimulus stopped? The Green Party of Canada has a plan to get out of debt and introduce more economic stimulus that would create more jobs and address those issues that all Canadians have.”
Perrier continued to berate the records of previous Liberal and Conservative governments.
He also took aim at the character of Stephen Harper.
“Can you trust the Liberals or the Conservatives? Can they commit fully to the public programs that you depend upon? If you don’t like social democracy, you can send your pensions back to Ottawa. If you don’t like CPP, you can do the same thing. Remember that you’re supported by those good programs that give us a good standard of living. The Liberals have borrowed NDP policy over the years — they love to run on the left. It makes them look good, and they start governing, and they just zip right over to the right and forget about two-thirds of their promises. Paul Martin balanced our budget on the backs of public programs. Stephen Harper is a closet reformer — he’s no conservative, he’s no progressive conservative.”
Boucher asked constituents to respect his record of decades of public service when making a decision on May 2.
“I’ve been very proud to have been a police officer for 30 years with the RCMP. I’ve worked in five provinces, and I’ve had leadership roles in two U.N. missions. I was also proud to be the chief of police in Medicine Hat for six-and-a-half years, and after that, to have been the champion of the City of Medicine Hat as the mayor, to make sure that there was a return of the Medicine Hat advantage. I’m able and willing to help you — even if I don’t win this election. For the last 40 years I’ve been a public servant, and I’ve done very well and I’ve helped a lot of people. I’ve been accountable for 40 years to the public — I don’t mind it, that’s what making policy is about, and the true meaning of being a public servant. I trust people, and I’m asking for your trust in me — please give me your support for a better future.”
Payne detailed the funding of the Economic Action Plan that had been of benefit to Taber and area, and warned of the danger of a Liberal-Bloc-NDP coalition bent on abdicating Canadian values.
“Working with my colleagues in Ottawa, I’ve been able to be your voice in both the Alberta caucus, the national caucus, and the standing committees of national defence and aboriginal affairs. When you check the area, you see the benefits of the Economic Action Plan. Taber had some infrastructure funding, $2.9 million for the stormwater system. The M.D. of Taber, infrastructure, just over $1 million for potable water systems. Skills training, to upgrade skills, there was $143,000. Summer jobs, just over $21,000. And we can’t forget about the Corn festival, that received funding as well. It’s great to be able to celebrate the community’s success, and having the best corn in the country is something to celebrate. The list goes on — about 23 funding announcements for Taber and the M.D. of Taber, for a total of $5 million. Our Conservative government has been able to accomplish much in five short years as a minority government, and in spite of the roadblocks set up by the coalition partners. I want to remind you that those partners still have a signed agreement in place until June 2011. Mr. Ignatieff has admitted that he has plans to become prime minister by partnering with Layton and the separatist Duceppe, even if he loses the election.”
Murray described the platform of the Green Party as neither left nor right centered, but rather having Canadians best interests at heart.    
“The Green Party’s solutions are rational, because the Green Party, unlike other parties, understands the scientific reality of limits to growth set by the carrying capacity of our planet. We must work within these limits. Otherwise we will exhaust our resources, degrade our environment, and put our economy, health, and children’s future at risk. Many people find it hard to position the Green Party on the whole political spectrum. We believe in strong financial management and strengthening our economy while ensuring that it is sustainable. Does that mean we are right wing? We believe that government must provide needed social services while protecting our environment, and the right of minorities, women and disadvantaged people. Does that make us left wing? We do not think so. More and more people are simply thinking of the Green Party.”