Brooks-Medicine Hat candidates clash on carbon tax, debt at forum

Similar to Tuesday’s debate, discussion was dominated by topics around trade, pipelines, business regulation and provincial debt.

Black promoted the Alberta party’s central position while emphasizing his personal experience within society. Black used his experience as a teacher to push reforms for education, saying a there needs to children need more supports in elementary school to allow them to graduate high school.

MacWilliam defended Rachel Notley’s policies for much of the night, citing specific plans for the NDP’s potential second term. She also attacked the UCP’s plan to cut the corporate tax rate by four percent, saying the plan will be ineffective.

Glasgo pushed the need for strong provincial representation in order to increase economic prosperity and push for pipelines. She also clashed with MacWilliam about NDP policy on climate and debt reduction.

Beasley presented himself as extremely conservative, saying he aligns with 95 percent of the United Conservative Platform. However, as an independent, he says he’ll face less restrictions in the legislature.

Much of the evening was kept civil, however some laughs and eye rolls immerged over specific topics, including carbon levy’s and provincial debt.

The first question presented to candidates asked about their views on climate change.

One of the more memorable moments of the evening was the audience’s reaction when Beasley said climate change isn’t backed up by any legitimate research.

“Carbon tax in our society, all of the carbon tax,” says Beasley. “Accomplishes nothing and all it does is erode the competitiveness of our society so from a fundamental perspective we can debate whether global warming is real, I believe we need a fact based discussion around this.”

Glasgo also isn’t a supporter of the carbon tax, saying it hasn’t done anything towards reducing emissions.

“We also know the carbon tax does not actually reduce emissions,” says Glasgo. “What it does is displace emissions to other jurisdictions, we need to make sure we are having a fully costed plan that actually addresses the issues that matter here in Alberta.”

Black agrees it isn’t the best timing for the carbon levy.

“At the very least put a delay on the carbon levy,” says Black. “I think we can make a good argument with Ottawa that we’ve already done our part, give us a break until the energy economy comes back and then we’ll move forward on that file.”

MacWilliam aligned with the NDP government, saying the carbon tax has proven results, and is needed.

“Climate change, I said that a few times, it is happening, all you have to do is look to the north,” says MacWilliam. “We’ll never correct it but we need to stop it,” says MacWilliam. “We had seven mega-tonnes of carbon emissions reduced with this carbon tax in place, that is one third of Manitoba’s yearly emissions.”

When it comes to debt, each party had a different take on bringing it down.

Glasgo says the UCP’s red tape reduction strategies will help balance the budget by 2022-2023.

Black says supporting small businesses and agriculture will help bring new life into the economy. He also touted the fact that the Alberta Party is the only party so far to release a provincial budget up to 2023.

“The best thing you can do is develop a balanced budget,” says Black. “When the energy economy comes back that’s when we’ll delve into the deficit, and I think that’s probably about four years.”

MacWilliam repeated the NDP’s platform to balance the budget by 2023, and added a large reason for the current debt is the state of Alberta’s economy when Rachel Notley came into power.

“The debt is really a problem,” says MacWilliam. “I do understand that and I think everyone is going to be aware of that but remember three years ago, NDP came into a major deep hole and they’ve had to dig themselves out.”

Beasley says cutting public services is the way to go, but taking it slow is essential so as not to disrupt the economy even more. He says the most important thing is to get the NDP out of office first.

“I want Jason Kenney to win,” says Beasley. “I absolutely want the UCP to get rid of the NDP, it has to happen. Quite frankly I don’t think society can take another NDP government given the devastation they’ve brought to the province.”

Beasley’s emphasis on his support for Jason Kenney was a hot topic throughout the evening, even going as far to say he represents the UCP.

“A vote for me is a vote for Mr. Kenney.”

This didn’t sit well with Glasgo, who says the UCP needs to stay consistent, especially after uniting in 2017.

“Here in Brooks Medicine Hat one of the biggest issues that has come up is possibility of a vote split,” says Glasgo. “We need to make sure that, we united our conservative family once, and we need to keep that unity going forward.”

“Mr. Beasley has no connection to the UCP, in fact his campaign is one of sour grapes and I would hope to see that the citizens of Brooks-Medicine Hat see right through that.”

During closing remarks at the end of the forum, each candidate vouched for their party’s potential contribution to Alberta and Southern Alberta.

The provincial election is set for April 16. less that two weeks away.

by Jessie Weisner

Brooks-Medicine Hat candidates clash on carbon tax, debt at forum

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