Windsor West MPP candidates Remy Boulbol, left, Liberal; Henry Oulevey, Green; Percy Hatfield, NDP and Mohammad Latif, PC, prepare to debate at the Ciociaro Club, Tecumseh, May 17, 2018. Photo by Mark Brown/Blackburn News.Windsor West MPP candidates Remy Boulbol, left, Liberal; Henry Oulevey, Green; Percy Hatfield, NDP and Mohammad Latif, PC, prepare to debate at the Ciociaro Club, Tecumseh, May 17, 2018. Photo by Mark Brown/Blackburn News.
Windsor

Chamber Debate Covers A Myriad Of Issues

Windsor-Essex's MPP candidates had plenty to say at a debate Thursday afternoon.

Candidates from four of Ontario's provincial parties took part in a televised all-candidates debate at the Ciociaro Club, sponsored by the Windsor-Essex Regional Chamber of Commerce and moderated by journalist Craig Pearson.

For the first time, the Ontario Green Party was represented in all three Windsor-Essex ridings that participated. The Ontario Liberal Party, Progressive Conservative Party, and New Democratic Party were also represented.

The Windsor-Tecumseh riding was up first, with the Liberals' Remy Boulbol, the Green Party's Henry Oulevey, Percy Hatfield of the NDP and Mohammad Latif of the PC Party. The candidates were asked about their views on small businesses, high-speed rail, the debt, and social services.

Boulbol was quick to point out that poverty and mental health were not one and the same, and the Liberals have taken great strides to fund mental health initiatives while being in power.

"This province's budget is committed to a mental health worker in every single secondary school," said Boulbol.

The Essex candidates took the podiums next. Incumbent Taras Natyshak of the NDP was joined by Kate Festeryga of the Liberals, the PC's Chris Lewis and Nancy Panchesan of the Greens.

Kate Festeryga, left, Liberal Party; Nancy Panchesan, Green; Taras Natyshak, NDP and Chris Lewis of the PC Party debate at the Ciociaro Club on May 17, 2018. Photo by Mark Brown/Blackburn News.

Panchesan, a teacher, sees economic benefit in overhauling Ontario's public school board system.

"I love the Green Party's idea of having just one school board, which would save a lot of money in administration and get the money more back into our frontlines," said Panchesan.

Meanwhile, Natyshak reiterates the NDP's commitment to decreasing wait times for treatment in hospitals.

"Ultimately this comes down to a province that has degraded our system, that has underfunded our system, that has allowed 'hallway health care' to exist for our most vulnerable patients," said Natyshak. "It is shameful that it actually exists in the province of Ontario and in Canada."

The expansion of Hwy 3, rising hydro costs and health care were also among the topics covered in the Essex portion of the debate.

Windsor-West candidates rounded out the debate, with subjects such as the new mega-hospital and government transparency covered.

Windsor West MPP candidates Rino Bortolin, left, Liberal; Krysta Glovasky-Ridsdale, Green; Lisa Gretzky, NDP and the PC's Adam Ibrahim debate at the Ciociaro Club, May 17, 2018. Photo by Mark Brown/Blackburn News.

The increase of Ontario's minimum wage remains a hot-button issue locally. Windsor-West PC candidate Adam Ibrahim, a business owner himself, says he favours an increase but is worried about the overall cost.

"I would like to see it go up," says Ibrahim. "But at the same time, it's important to realize that businesses are suffering with red tape. Ontario is a haven for red tape."

The Green Party's Krysta Glovasky-Ridsdale and Liberal Rino Bortolin rounded out the Windsor West debate.

Ontario voters go to the polls June 7.

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