Election forum held for WIld Rose candidates
by Natalie Clewley

The Wild Rose candidates for the October 14 federal election attended a forum at the Kurt Browning arena in Caroline on September 23.
Blake Richards, Conservative party candidate, was present along with Jeff Horvath, NDP candidate and Lisa Fox, Green Party candidate.
Jenn Turcott, Liberal Party candidate, was unable to attend.
Richards was the first candidate to speak stating, “I’ve worked hard to earn your vote, I will fight for a Canada with lower taxes, I will fight for a Canada where we support our troops and on October 14th I’m asking for your support.”
Fox then spoke stating, “I have lived in Alberta for 12 years and I love my wide open spaces.”
She added, “Environment is the foundation of our economy and our futures.”
Horvath, NDP candidate then stated, “Education is the key to others having a better life.”
He added, “Something that we all have in common is climate, climate change is a big issue.”
One of the first questions residents asked was, “What is one of the most important issues in this election?”
Richards spoke stating, “There is a lot of uncertainty of the economy in Canada right now.”
Fox replied, “Economy is one of the key issues in this election, we need leadership to sustain this economy.”
Horvath then stated, “Climate change. It is a very critical time for our climate, we need a healthy planet.”
The next question asked was, “What is your plan to reduce crime and change the Young Offenders Act?”
Horvath was the first candidate to speak noting, “We agree with the Conservatives on this topic, prevention is key, things will be a better place.”
He added, “I am comfortable with sentencing a 14 -year-old to life in prison, yes we care about victims and victims’ rights.”
Richards then took the stand stating, “One of the major issues residents are concerned about is the increasing crime in our communities.”
Fox spoke stating, “As a mother of three children I find it very important that we start addressing this issue.”
She added, “These are our communities, we do need tougher penalties for those repeat offenders and better policies that support our communities.”
The third question that was asked was “Should our troops be in Afghanistan?”
Richards noted, “Yes absolutely.”
Fox added, “I do know that my values say that our country has strongly been represented in Afghanistan and they’re doing amazing work.”
Horvath spoke noting, “As a teacher I have shown my students support for our troops. I believe it is the wrong mission for Canada and we need to find ways to sustain peace and build peace.”
The fourth question that was asked was is “If you were elected MP for how long would you be in the riding?”
Fox took the stand, noting, “I believe we need green MPs in the house. If you were to elect me I would be here for a revolution, I’m not the type of person to sit on the back bench.”
Horvath replied, “I can offer you who I am and what I can offer.”
He added, “I want to represent Wild Rose and do something that is very important to others.”
The fifth question that was asked was “What do you hope to do to reduce gas prices and the environmental effects of the oil sands?”
Horvath spoke stating “Oil sands are a great part of Alberta’s economy, but we have to be aware of the environmental effects.”
Richards then commented by stating, “We need to have a balanced approach, the environment is also important.
“We have already had 30 years of approvals for more oil sands, we really need a national leadership, and we need to demonstrate leadership.”
The sixth issue that was asked was “what is your plan for seniors, especially in rural areas?”
Horvath replied, “I know the importance of medication and these issues.”
Richards then stated, “Seniors are people who built this country.”
He added, “I am very supportive of letting seniors stay in their homes as long as possible.”
Fox noted, “We’re proud of our health care system.”
She added, “It is important that we are reinvesting in our communities.”
The seventh issue that was asked by residents was “What is the three main issues farmers are facing today?”
Richards spoke stating “Survival of the family farm.”
Fox replied, “It breaks my heart, we need to change the way we do things for the future of our agriculture.”
Horvath noted, “We are treading into some dangerous waters.”
The eighth issue that was asked by residents was “how do we keep more jobs in Canada?”
Fox stated, “We are starting to lose that identity as what people know as Canada. This election is a turning point for Canada, to reshape our country.”
Horvath noted, “I want to support companies that keep jobs in Canada. The New Democrats want to support those jobs and want to support our economy.”
The ninth issue residents asked about was “How can we protect our food products?”
Horvath spoke stating “we need more health inspectors.”
He added, “Food inspection has to have a stronger regulation.”
Fox stated, “We need to start getting our food closer home, and have tighter control in our food regulations.”
She added, “A bigger voice on what’s right for us.”
The last issue, that was brought forward was “What are your views on legalizing marijuana and abortion?”
Richards responded, “I have strong concerns of legalizing marijuana, and I am not supporting legalizing marijuana or any kind of drug.”
Fox stated, “I do not support.”
Horvath noted, “I have seen the devasting impact of drugs on others’ lives.”
He added, “I am supportive of the medical use of marijuana, but I feel that I am torn in the middle.”