The Conservative candidate for Chatham-Kent-Leamington, Dave Van Kesteren, attends an all-candidates debate in Tilbury on September 24, 2015. (Photo by Ricardo Veneza)The Conservative candidate for Chatham-Kent-Leamington, Dave Van Kesteren, attends an all-candidates debate in Tilbury on September 24, 2015. (Photo by Ricardo Veneza)
Chatham

Conservative Says No To TPP Debate

The Conservative incumbent in Chatham-Kent-Leamington won't debate the NDP's Tony Walsh on the Trans-Pacific Partnership.

Walsh issued the challenge Thursday saying there's a lot at stake for Canadians and voters have a right to know more about the trade pact before Election Day, October 19.

"This agreement has the potential of destroying what's left of our once proud auto industry, raising the cost of already expensive prescription drugs, (and) gutting Ontario's dairy and poultry production," says Walsh.

However, Dave Van Kesteren's campaign manager says there are six debates to come in the campaign and lots of time to address the pact.

"It's hard to debate an issue on innuendo and not fact," says Wayne Hasson. "We've had discussions on it in previous debates and look forward to more (debate) about it."

Walsh also thinks it's inappropriate the Harper government is negotiating the trade deal now during an election campaign. He says under the Caretaker Convention, leaders of the major parties are consulted in the event a contract is entered that is binding on the next government.

"We know that is not happening," says Walsh.

Hasson says once the deal is struck, it has to go to Parliament and will be open to debate by MPs.

Liberal candidate Katie Omstead and the Green Party's Mark Vancouteren are also running in Chatham-Kent-Leamington.

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