Image Credit: Compilation/Jennifer Stahn
October 15, 2015 - 3:04 PM
We don’t endorse any single candidate. Our comments on these answers are an assessment of whether the candidate gave a candid answer as we asked for (REAL) or relied on party platforms, leadership or attacks on rivals for their answers (PUPPET).
To understand this post, please read this first.
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OUR TAKE: This exercise started off poorly when Angelique Wood's office manager forwarded us these responses. It got worse when we realized they were the identical answers to Norah Bowman, the NDP candidate in Kelowna-Lake Country. So either the NDP has developed a hive-mind, neither of them filled it out or one copied the other. Again, we sent the candidates this preamble to the questionnaire: Infonews.ca is committed to ensuring our readers have insight into individual candidates and ask that you personally please fill out this short questionnaire. It's seven questions. We marked them both zeroes for being soft sock puppets. Go ahead, vote for Tom Mulcair because there's no one here to vote for.
1. The number one concern I hear from voters is:
The one issue I hear time and time again from voters is their concern over our health care system. We need to invest in our health care system now to ensure that each Canadian has the right to quality healthcare.
OUR TAKE: PUPPET
2. As an MP, what could you do to ensure zebra/quagga mussels stay out of B.C. water systems?
Regulations adding zebra mussels to the Aquatic Invasive Species Regulations were added on May 15, and came into force on June 17 of this year. These regulations cover boats in all of Canada, with some exceptions made for boats in the transboundary waters of the Great Lakes. The problem with this government has been its failure to enforce its environmental laws. New Democrats will ensure that regulations meant to protect Canada’s environment and waters are enforced, and if necessary, violators are prosecuted.
OUR TAKE: PUPPET
3. Do you personally believe in criminal penalties for recreational marijuana use?
The NDP has a long-standing policy in support of decriminalization of possession of small amounts of marijuana for personal use.
OUR TAKE: PUPPET
4. Name one example of an issue you disagree with your party on. How would you reconcile that disagreement?
I choose to run with Tom Mulcair and the NDP because we share the same mainstream Canadian values. I am running to be the voice of our region in Ottawa—That’s what will guide me as an MP.
OUR TAKE: PUPPET
5. Do you believe the federal government is doing enough to deal with mental health in our communities, in our courts and in our prisons? What can it do better
After a decade of Stephen Harper, Canadians often cannot find the help they need to address mental health problems, particularly in rural communities. Nearly 1.5 million Canadians under the age of 24 cannot access the support they need. Tom Mulcair and the NDP will establish a $100 million fund to help deliver services and research, and to support healthcare providers and community mental health associations.
OUR TAKE: PUPPET
6. Do you believe the federal government is doing enough to help veterans? What can it do better?
Even as Stephen Harper has sent Canadians into harm’s way and trumpeted military action, he has slashed veterans’ benefits, closed Veterans Affairs offices, and spent taxpayers' money to fight veterans in court. Over the past decade, we have lost more Canadian soldiers to suicide than to combat in Afghanistan. This is unacceptable. Tom Mulcair and the NDP will re-open all nine closed VA offices and invest $454 million in long-term care, including treatment for PTSD and other mental health issues. New Democrats will increase survivors' pensions and ensure funding is in place for dignified funerals for our women and men in uniform.
OUR TAKE: PUPPET
7. Do you believe a minority government can be effective?
Tom Mulcair and I are running to replace Stephen Harper. Ultimately, Canadians will decide the make-up of the next Parliament.
OUR TAKE: PUPPET
BONUS Will you declare your support for increasing openness and transparency in government and commit to interviews by the news media once elected? Yes or No.
Yes. Canadians are rightly frustrated after nearly a decade of one of the most secretive governments in our history. I look forward to working on behalf of the people of Central Okanagan-Similkameen-Nicola in an open and transparent way, and that certainly includes speaking with our local media outlets.
News from © iNFOnews, 2015