By CHAT News Medicine Hat

Economy big topic at all-candidates forum

Oct 20, 2016 | 7:12 AM

MEDICINE HAT — The Medicine Hat College theatre was over half full Wednesday, Oct. 20 as residents came to see the candidates for the Medicine Hat – Cardston – Warner by-election, speak at a debate hosted by the Medicine Hat and District Chamber of Commerce.

Most of the questions were centred around business and the economy in the region. One of the questions focused on whether the candidates support free trade agreements, and which ones can help the riding.

CPC candidate Glen Motz touted the Conservatives record while in power on creating such deals.
“Free trade agreements increased from 14 in 2005 to 44 when they left office. I think that speaks to the importance of free trade.” said Motz.

Liberal candidate Stan Sakamoto spoke about the Mexican and Chinese boarders being opened to Canadian beef products and other negotiations benefiting the riding since the Liberals formed government.
“Through negotiations we’ve been able to keep our canola going into China without any issues so those aspects have put money into the pockets of our cattle and our farming community.” said Sakamoto.

Rod Taylor with the Christian Heritage party said governments need to do further evaluation before entering trade agreements.
“Our thought is that our free trade agreements need to be reevaluated and we shouldn’t be rushing into new trade agreements like the TPP [Trans Pacific Partnership].” said Taylor.

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Libertarian Sheldon Johnston said while he supports free trade he doesn’t support free trade with all countries.
“With respect to what type of agreements should be prioritized I think it has to be with countries that favour democratic freedom and respect our own values and personal liberty. That would include countries like Japan and South Korea, that would exclude countries like China.” said Johnston.

And Rhinoceros party candidate Kayne Cooper had this to say.
“Access to markets? I mean just open them up. We need to get into them, [it’s] just like easy. Just grab the key and [sound effect of unlocking a door] we’re in.” said Cooper.

One of the other topics that has caused a lot of talk and concern, especially for provinces like Alberta that deal in energy and resource production, is the Liberal government’s plans to introduce a mandatory carbon tax on all provinces. When it comes to carbon pricing the opinions were extremely divided.

Liberal candidate Stan Sakamoto says the tax will provide extra funds for the provinces to work with.
“All monies that are generated [in Alberta] stay in Alberta. So the Alberta government can determine what they want to do. Do they want to invest in green energy? Do they want to reduce our taxes? It all stays in Alberta.”

Though he didn’t provide an alternative option to combat climate change, Conservative candidate Glen Motz was firmly opposed to a tax on carbon.
“It’s not going to work, it’s going to kill business, it’s going to lose jobs and taxing CO2 is not the way to go about changing current targets.” said Motz

Libertarian Sheldon Johnston also opposed the tax and said combating climate change requires nuclear power.
“Nuclear energy can reduce the amount of global greenhouse gasses if we apply it safely and wisely. And I think it’s a question we need to start asking our politicians about.” said Johnston.

Rod Taylor with the Christian Heritage party said he doesn’t believe carbon emissions have anything to do with climate change and opposes the tax.
“We care about the environment, we just think that this CO2 thing is a theory that one day we’ll be looking back at it and saying wow that was a mistake.” said Taylor.

Rhinoceros party candidate Kayne Cooper had a very different take on combating climate change.
“Easy solution. We just get rid of it, it can’t change if it’s not there. And the first way to do that is to abolish the environment.” said Cooper.

All candidates said they support the building of pipelines.

The only candidate not in attendance to share their party’s views was federal NDP candidate Bev Waege. Waege did not return our calls for comment on her absence.