The seven people running to represent Sudbury in the Oct. 19 federal election slugged it out Wednesday night, in a sometimes chaotic but never boring debate held at College Boreal.
Jean-Raymond Audet (Independent), Paul Lefebvre (Liberal Party), Paul Loewenberg (New Democratic Party), David Popescu (Independent), David Robinson (Green Party of Canada), Elizabeth Rowley (Communist Party of Canada) and Fred Slade (Conservative Party of Canada) answered questions from a panel from the Greater Sudbury Chamber of Commerce, who organized the event.
With so many people on stage, and a riled up crowd, candidates did their best to answer business-oriented questions, but frequent disruptions among themselves and the audience made debate difficult at times.
Moderator Karen Hourtevenko set out tough rules at the outset, warning that “hateful” speech wouldn't be tolerated, a nod to Popescu, who has made headlines in the past for making extremist religious comments at these sorts of events.
While he opened with “Let us bow our heads in prayer,” and madean emotional speech about the need to accept God's “negative truth,” Popescu stayed away from the stronger language that has led to criminal charges in the past.
Although he did periodically interject statements like, “God is the answer,” while other candidates were giving answers.
There were several moments of levity, such as when Loewenberg said the NDP's policy on developing the Ring of Fire echoes that of the Communist Party, because it makes reaching agreements with “I'm not surprised to hear the NDP agrees with the Commnist Party,” Slade quipped.
To which Rowely told him, “You can be assured we don't agree with you at all.”
Lefebvre focused on the Liberal promise to invest $125 billion in infrastructure over the next 10 years, which would be directed at projects important in Sudbury – roads, transit, seniors housing, etc.
“This is very good for Sudbury,” he said, since the city has a $750 million infrastructure deficit in Sudbury. “Our municipal council needs a partner.”
He also said it was time the mining sector got the same support from the federal government that it gives other sectors. That would allow Sudbury to develop its expertise in mining and create jobs here.
“The oil and gas sector get a tonne of money,” he said. “Why are we not getting our fair share?”
Slade said he was campaigning on the strong record of the governing Tories, and said he wanted to fight for Sudbury in Ottawa.
“I believe I'm your best choice for member of Parliament,” he said.
“I've worked hard for 40 years helping thousands of clients ... to build their businesses and create jobs.”
“Politics has to work for this country,” Loewenberg said in his closing remarks. “We need a government that can lead to a sustainable future. The NDP will be that government.
“I'm a problem solver, and I don't quit until the job is done. That's why I have so many jobs.”
At one point, there was a disruption from unhappy Canada Post workers, about 15 of whom were asked to leave, as was another heckler in the crowd. And when statements from the candidates began to draw howls from the audience, Hourtevenko reminded crowd to not laugh at comments from candidates.
“It takes a lot of courage to run for office.”
If you catch NorthernLife's live streaming of the debate, check it out in its entirety in the video above.
