Candidates Q and A: What is the biggest issue?

EloraFergusToday asked the candidates running for the four major parties in the Wellington-Halton Hills riding a series of questions about the upcoming election. Their answers will run nightly over the next two weeks. Responses were limited to 250 words. 

Tonight's question: 'What do you see as the single biggest issue in this election?'

Ted Arnott, Progressive Conservative

I will only be able to answer this question with certainty on the morning of June 3rd, after the 2022 provincial election campaign is over.

However, I am hearing questions and concerns about inflation and the rising cost of living, especially the price of food and gasoline; the climate crisis and what we must do to reduce our carbon emissions; the affordability of housing for both tenants and first-time home buyers; the COVID-19 pandemic and the government’s response; the need to increase the capacity of our health care system; the need to improve long term care; our obligation to help students catch up and reach their full potential; and the need for elected representatives to work together more so instead of simply attacking each other.

And on Election Day, voters in Wellington-Halton Hills will choose who will represent them in the next provincial parliament. That may or may not be the most important issue, but it is certainly the most important question voters should ponder.

Diane Ballantyne, NDP

Affordability is the single biggest issue in this election. 

The sky-rocketing cost of gas, groceries and housing is hurting everyone. Ford’s callous cuts have only made life harder for folks and the Liberals had 15 years, so they cannot be trusted to do what they say. The NDP cares about you and your family and has a plan to help make life more affordable. We will bring pharma, dental and mental health care under OHIP so you can use your OHIP card and not your credit card. This will help you stretch your family budget while also getting the care you need. 

We also will work to regulate the price of gas (as five other provinces do) to help ease the bite out of the pockets of farmers, transportation companies and commuters as well as lower auto insurance rates by 40 per cent. This will save the average driver $660/year. This easing of the cost of transportation and insurance will help with the cost of getting food on your table. 

We will also address the housing crisis with real financial support for first-time buyers as well as increase the supply of the “missing middle”, affordable and rental housing. 

We can create a better life for you and your family. Together, we can fix the things that matter most.

Ryan Karho, Green Party

Climate Change, without question, is the single biggest issue in this election. It is going to determine our future.

Climate change has been referred to as “the biggest threat to security that modern humans have ever faced” and as a “crisis multiplier” by leading experts at the United Nations Security Council in February 2021.

The housing crisis, affordability of living, healthcare and education crisis are all big important issues that we cannot ignore and we must address, but without immediate and decisive action on the climate crisis, the challenges we are facing in these other social and economic spaces are going to be amplified to an existential level. 

Ontario Greens are the only party with a real plan for real climate action – one to reach net-zero by 2045. We will:

1. Crush Climate Pollution - We know that climate change is driven by the output of greenhouse gases. We will invest in public transportation and electric mobility, retrofitting homes, reducing sprawl and generating electricity from clean, renewable sources.
2. Restore Water & Nature - Ontario’s wetlands, forests and watersheds are some of our best natural solutions to address the climate crisis. We will permanently protecting wetlands, forests and prime farmland and working with Indigenous communities to conserve land and water.

Succeed Together – We know that transitioning to a healthy, affordable, and resilient economy is possible. We will invest in training a strong green workforce, and support the transition to a low carbon economy.

Tom Takacs, Liberal

There are so many important issues facing Ontarians during this election, but I would say that the major issue is the high cost of living, especially the cost of housing for first time buyers.