Off and running

Federal candidates make their pitch for your vote

Wanted or not, Canadians will go to the polls on May 2 to elect a new government.

The minority government of Stephen Harper’s Conservatives fell on Friday on a vote that found his party in contempt of parliament. The Conservatives say, however, the manoeuvre is just a way for the opposition to bring down the government in a bid for power.

Closer to home, Daryl Kramp is hoping for his fourth election as the member for Prince Edward- Hastings. Michael McMahon is also embarking on his fourth campaign representing the New Democrats. Newcomer to the race is Peter Tinsley, the ex-Military Police Complaints Commission chairman whose contract wasn’t renewed after he asked difficult questions about the handling of Afghan detainees last year.

Tinsley rejects the label of “star candidate” but concedes his profile may be higher than some. Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff, however, made a point of including Belleville as part of his 20-city tour of the country over the fall and winter.

THE INCUMBENT

Daryl Kramp has increased the margin of victory in each of his past three elections.

It makes no difference who he is campaigning against, says Daryl Kramp.

“I have the greatest respect for Mr. Tinsley and anyone, for that matter, who runs for office,” said Kramp. “But I won’t change my campaign because of Mr. Tinsley. I will run my campaign on my capacity, my record and, quite frankly, the things I stand for.”

Kramp believes the timing is wrong for another election. “We are going through the toughest recessionary times since the Great Depression,” said Kramp. “We are not out of the woods yet. This is no time to spend hard-earned dollars on an election. I don’t thing this is the time to spend $300 million on an election. There is no driving issue here.”

While polls suggest the Conservatives enjoy a significant lead among Canadians, many folks have difficulty warming up to Harper, pulling up short of giving the Tories a majority in previous elections. Is trust becoming an issue for Kramp’s party?

“Have we made mistakes? Sure we have. We are not infallible,” answered Kramp.

But he says the contempt charge was trumped up by a committee and House that have become compromised by a hunger for power.

“Normally they aren’t politicized. But in the last few months the committees have become unbelievably compromised. The motion for contempt was prepared before they heard the witnesses. Of course the opposition holds the majority of seats around the committee table so they can do what they want. This is a manufactured issue—it’s a power grab.”

He says most of the folks he talks to want his government to keep its eye on the ball.

“Do we have enough money to buy the groceries and pay the bills? Do I have job security? Can I afford to put my kids through school? Is my pension going to be there when I need it? It is all these day-to-day issues that matter to people in this riding.

“These are nuts and bolts issues people care about— these are the ones I try to deal with. I try not to get caught up in the circus of nonsense that goes on in the bubble of Ottawa.”

THE CHALLENGER

This is Peter Tinsley's first run for political office. Tinsley was most recently the chair of the Miitary Police Complaints Commission.

Peter Tinsley has witnessed firsthand what happens when you air the Harper government’s dirty laundry. He was abruptly dropped from his position as chair of the Military Police Complaints Commission after questions were raised about the torture of detainees handed over by Canadian military forces to local forces in Afghanistan.

Tinsley believes it is important that Canadians understand why this government has fallen and fallen now.

“It has fallen on a contempt motion,” said Tinsley. “It’s a government that has ruled rather than govern. I don’t think this is the right way in the Canadian context. But this is particularly so in a minority Parliament where the government should be engaging the other parties. They are required to earn and retain the confidence of Parliament. They have failed in that regard. The secrecy and deceit of this government has become a principal concern for many people inside and out of this Parliament. Our mission is to provide an alternative of good economic management.”

Tinsley is working through the logistics of a campaign that stretches from Long Point to the edge of Algonquin Park—over 7,500 square miles.

“Not only a large riding geographically,” said Tinsley, “it takes nearly three hours driving end to end. It also comprises a fairly wide variety of demographic groups.”

Tinsley figures he has two jobs on the campaign trail: to educate and be educated.

“As much as I want to explain the alternative we have to offer, I believe an equally important part of the job as candidate is to listen and hear what people are saying,” said Tinsley.

THE CONSCIENCE

This is the fourth campaign for NDP candidate Michael McMahon.

Michael McMahon says it is disgraceful that we have seniors living in poverty while the Harper government proposes lowering taxes on “corporations, oil companies and multi-nationals.”

“Government is the tool of the people,” said McMahon. “In this election the New Democrats will be trying to help people pay their heating bills, not cut taxes to corporations.”

Conservatives argue that reducing corporate taxes encourages companies to invest in this country and create jobs. But McMahon doesn’t buy this.

“Corporate tax cuts don’t create jobs. The research is clear about this. There is no relationship between corporate tax rates and employment rates. This is a Conservative untruth.

“If it were true you would find a high standard of living in jurisdictions with low corporate taxes—but it’s not the case. The CEOs take home more money, as do the shareholders, but they provide less money to the government for social programs.”

He says this country needs a shift in perspective. “Health care is extremely important to Canadians. Instead of investing in mega jails, let’s invest in helping people get into medical schools so we can have enough doctors.

“My neighbour across the street wanted to become a doctor but had to go across the street to make this happen. There wasn’t room for her here in Canadian medical schools. We need to fix this.”

The Green Party is planning to hold a nomination meeting this evening in Belleville.

Former Green candidate Alan Coxwell has ruled out a run in this election.