標題: Final NDP debate [打印本頁] 作者: tiffiant 時間: 2011-4-8 18:05 標題: Final NDP debate
Final NDP debate
Four candidates square off on jobs and the economy
Sheila Scott Apr 08, 2011 03:48:37 AM
1 Related Stories
•Nicholas Simons drops out of BC NDP leadership race
•Do you have a question for the BC NDP leadership candidates?
BURNABY (NEWS1130) - The final four candidates talked jobs, the economy, and workers' rights last night in Burnaby, in front of a mostly union crowd during their last public debate.
All candidates seemed at ease as they answered a series of questions on everything from forestry to workers' compensation, and pension reform, many submitted by union reps.
The four hopefuls were pretty much on the same page throughout the debate.
When speaking about trades, Adrian Dix spoke of wanting better and more broad training opportunities. "We have to ensure that we have the resources to provide that training. And that means specific changes to bring back resources to government; cancelling corporate tax cuts so we can actually have the money to afford what all of us are talking about."
"We also have to change the dynamic on a lot of our boards," he adds. "Whether it's the Workers' Compensation Board, or others, there's simply not enough worker representation."
When asked about making the NDP caucus accountable to the people who vote for the party, Mike Farnworth says it's about being united. "We need to ensure the leader is not just the leader of the caucus, but is also leader of the party. And that there's a lot more communication between the caucus and the party, that they know what's going on, they know what's happening."
"Also that we're working from a single purpose, which is to ensure that we win the next election, that we can start putting changes in place, that we know need to be made," he continues. "After we form government that we don't forget who put us there. We always remember who we represent."
John Horgan says it's more about setting the NDP apart from the Liberals than coming down on his fellow candidates. "You can take my book, put it up against other people's books and they're almost all the same. What we need to do to differentiate ourselves from the other guys, is tell a positive story."
"It's the depth of knowledge, the humour," he argues. "It's the approach to politics that may well make the difference in an election against what is going to be a very, very formidable communicator in Premier Christy Clark."
When asked about what would differentiate him as a leader, Dana Larsen had a simple answer. "I guess there's one issue that I like to talk about more, that I'm the only one who ever brings it up at these debates. That's the cannabis, hemp, marijuana issue. One that's key to our province."
The race is down to four candidates after Nicholas Simons stepped down yesterday to back John Horgan ahead of the April 17th vote.作者: tiffiant 時間: 2011-4-8 18:06
