The candidates in the Chatham-Kent-Leamington riding for the 2015 federal election. (Photos courtesy of Mark Vercouteren, Dave Van Kesteren, Katie Omstead and by Jason Viau)The candidates in the Chatham-Kent-Leamington riding for the 2015 federal election. (Photos courtesy of Mark Vercouteren, Dave Van Kesteren, Katie Omstead and by Jason Viau)
Chatham

Chatham-Kent-Leamington Debate Highlights

Candidates looking to be the next Member of Parliament for the Chatham-Kent-Leamington riding are hoping Thursday night's debate won them some votes.

The debate brought out more than 100 people to the Knights of Columbus hall in Tilbury and was a very civil affair.

Incumbent Dave Van Kesteren for the Conservatives gave voters a question to consider.

"Is there another country in this world that you would rather be in? I'm not saying that because we all love Canada, but can you point to a jurisdiction that is doing a better job?" asked Van Kesteren.

He spoke in favour of corporate tax cuts after NDP candidate Tony Walsh argued the cuts gave big companies money to sit on instead of to create jobs with.

"We need confidence in a government. We need confidence in our economy and when that happens, businesses start to spend the money," Van Kesteren said in his closing comments.

Walsh pitched his party as the best option to replace the Conservatives.

"With your support we can defeat Stephen Harper's Conservatives and repair the damage done right here in Chatham-Kent-Leamington," Walsh said, adding he's proud of the NDP plans to kickstart manufacturing, build a national child care program and increase retirement security.

Liberal candidate Katie Omstead promised to be a fighter for the riding.

"I've spent my life fighting for others, those without a voice and those less fortunate. Today I'm asking you to let me fight for you," Omstead said, stressing she would put constituent's needs before her party's.

"I'll work hard to bring important matters in our communities back to Ottawa to ensure our region sees the change it needs," says Omstead. "From the Lighthouse Cove port that direly needs dredging to bring boats back down the Thames [River] to the lack of tourism directed at Pelee Island."

Green Party candidate Mark Vercouteren pitched the Greens as the party to help struggling farmers.

"Farmers can't compete because of wages, they can't compete with importing food from other countries, they can't compete because of trade agreements we have," says Vercouteren.

Despite the debate audience mostly consisting of party supporters, there were a few undecided voters looking to get a better sense of where their candidates stand.

Voters head to the polls October 19.

An all-candidates debate is held for the Chatham-Kent-Leamington riding on September 24, 2015. (Photo by Ricardo Veneza)An all-candidates debate is held for the Chatham-Kent-Leamington riding on September 24, 2015. (Photo by Ricardo Veneza)

An all-candidates debate is held for the Chatham-Kent-Leamington riding on September 24, 2015. (Photo by Ricardo Veneza)An all-candidates debate is held for the Chatham-Kent-Leamington riding on September 24, 2015. (Photo by Ricardo Veneza)

The Liberal candidate for Chatham-Kent-Leamington, Katie Omstead, attends an all-candidates debate in Tilbury on September 24, 2015. (Photo by Ricardo Veneza)The Liberal candidate for Chatham-Kent-Leamington, Katie Omstead, 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)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 Green Party candidate for Chatham-Kent-Leamington, Mark Vercouteren, attends an all-candidates debate in Tilbury on September 24, 2015. (Photo by Ricardo Veneza)The Green Party candidate for Chatham-Kent-Leamington, Mark Vercouteren, attends an all-candidates debate in Tilbury on September 24, 2015. (Photo by Ricardo Veneza)

The NDP candidate for Chatham-Kent-Leamington, Tony Walsh, attends an all-candidates debate in Tilbury on September 24, 2015. (Photo by Ricardo Veneza)The NDP candidate for Chatham-Kent-Leamington, Tony Walsh, attends an all-candidates debate in Tilbury on September 24, 2015. (Photo by Ricardo Veneza)

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