PORT HAWKESBURY — Everything from the economy and environment to the cost of living and development – and, of course, Donald Trump – were on the agenda as the candidates in the new federal riding of Cape Breton-Canso-Antigonish participated in a debate for an in-person audience of more than 250 at the Port Hawkesbury Civic Centre on April 10.
Jaime Battiste (Liberals), Allan MacMaster (Conservatives), Joanna Clark (NDP), Ryan Smyth (People’s Party) and Rebecca Wall (Independent) responded to questions from CBC Information Morning’s host Steve Sutherland, who moderated the almost two-hour forum.
When the federal hopefuls were asked why they would make a ‘good MP’, the perceived front runners for the seat – Battiste and MacMaster – pointed to their experience in government as a key ingredient.
“I can deliver,” said Battiste – a two-term MP for the former Sydney-Victoria riding – touching on his role in the Liberals’ work that has fashioned an “economic boom” in Cape Breton.
MacMaster – who served as Inverness MLA and a Progressive Conservative cabinet minister, including in the finance portfolio, over a 15-year period before stepping aside to run federally – offered, “I have done this job and I have done it well.”
Clark pointed to her “lived experience,” not to mention her “deep commitment” to the communities in the riding.
“I don’t just hear about the challenges people face, I live them,” the educator said, noting that she will bring an “empathetic voice” to the House of Commons in the fight for fair wages and affordable living.
Inspired by the “resilience and what we could produce [here],” Wall stressed the need to “focus on local” as part of developing growth and prosperity.
“You will be going to parliament, not me,” she said, noting that – as an independent – she would not be inhibited by having to tow the party line.
Smyth outlined the importance of providing people with “more freedom” – a pillar of his party – as part of creating a “more prosperous society.”
He said, “We need to focus on Canada and what we can do here.”
The leaders
When asked about their party leaders, Battiste praised the proven track record of Mark Carney, who he called “equally caring and brilliant.”
He added, “We have a crisis,” offering that Carney will “continue to care” about the riding, while Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre and his party are “only offering cuts.”
Claiming that the Liberal government “has been out of touch,” MacMaster suggested the choice in the upcoming vote is one “for your children and grandchildren,” adding that his leader will work for tradespeople, resource development and providing tax cuts – among other measures.
Clark said her NDP’s Jagmeet Singh – in tabbing him as “the leader our country needs” – believes that “one person struggling is too much.”
She added, “He will work for the people,” noting his leadership in helping to bring about policy developments such as universal dental care.
Describing Maxime Bernier of his People’s Party as “principled,” Smyth offered his leader as the answer to a “decade of disaster in government.”
Dealing with Trump
When it comes to dealing with the U.S. president’s tariff war and talk of threat to Canada’s sovereignty, Battiste explained that Carney has the “background to push back,” while describing Poilievre as “MAGA-lite” – a mirror image of Trump.
“Canadians are asking for leadership,” he added.
Calling it a negotiating tactic, Smyth offered that the bluster from Trump is “going to blow over.”
He said, “We really need to focus on Canada.”
Offering that “cooler heads must prevail,” MacMaster said one leader is not going to solve the Trump issue.
“We can’t lose them,” he offered of the deep ties between the countries, explaining that the key is “getting to Americans who voted for him [Trump].”
MacMaster added, “It is not going to work,” of what he sees as a Liberal effort to distract Canadians with a Trump-centered focus from “how awful our [federal] government has been.”
Clark offered that Canada needs a party that is “ready to support” workers and businesses affected by the tariffs, while Wall said the country needs to become more independent.
“We need to focus on here,” she added.
Paying the bills
Smyth quoted another former U.S. president – Bill Clinton – when the debate turned to addressing affordability and the mushrooming cost of living.
“It is the economy, stupid,” he said, while noting the need to get rid of “silly” laws and regulations.
MacMaster pointed to the benefits of lower taxes, along with building a national energy corridor and “shovel-ready” zones, rather than “spending a bunch of money” like the Liberals.
He added, “Our country is full of them,” of increasing resource development.
Citing “skyrocketing costs – with people “coming home with less and less,” Clark pointed to “equitable solutions” from the NDP, such as GST cuts, which will benefit all Canadians, and not just the wealthy.
Wall talked about the need for a mixed-use – private and public – supportive housing program; one that will also serve residents dealing with mental health and substance abuse issues. While promoting sustainability without financial burdens, she pointed out the importance of innovation and community-driven initiatives.
“We will invest in Canada,” Battiste said as part of the effort to continue the “economic boom” in the region.
He added, “We can’t cut our way to prosperity.”
Climate clash
On the topic of climate change, Battiste touched on Carney’s “genius plan” – one that will tax big polluters and create regulations that will prevent them from passing along those costs to consumers.
“Allan, do you believe that climate change is real?” he asked, while suggesting the Conservatives have no regard for the environment. MacMaster responded, “I am about to speak on your ‘genius plan’ in a moment.”
Noting the Liberal approach offers subsidies to “wealthy people” who he said purchase Tesla vehicles and “puts up car chargers everywhere,” MacMaster said, “These are how the Liberals are using your tax dollars, along with the carbon tax (making an air quote gesture) to help the environment. It is not working. I care about the environment and I will come up with real solutions to help people.”
Battiste responded, “You criticize but you [the Conservatives] don’t have any plan …” adding that was also the case when MacMaster was a provincial cabinet minister, as he continued to ask his opponent to indicate if he believes there is climate change.
“I see that he is getting flustered,” MacMaster offered, as Battiste continued his push for a response, while offering “because it is [about] our future.”
He added, “I want to look my children in the eye and say that, when I was on this stage, I protected their future.”
MacMaster answered: “You gave them the carbon tax.”
From the NDP perspective, Clark said “urgent action and not empty promises” is required, while providing Canadians with “support to help them through [the transition],” in areas such as green jobs and home efficiency options.
“It is a joke,” Smyth offered, describing money spent on the perceived carbon threat as a way “to loot your pocketbook.”
Top priorities
As for issues topping the to-do list for the riding, Clark pointed to connectivity, housing and access to healthcare, while offering the NDP has “strong solutions.” When it comes to protecting renters and owners, she offered that building homes will not help much if people cannot afford them.
Wall offered food security, employment and thwarting youth outmigration as key issues, while mentioning that the riding has “golden opportunities,” especially in developing partnerships and focussing on local initiatives.
Reiterating the idea of concentrating on continuing the “economic boom” for the riding, Battiste touted continuing investments in infrastructure, such as ACOA funding. He noted that the Liberal plan for building more homes will be the most robust since the 1940’s. Battiste also referenced plans for apprenticeship grants, a guaranteed infrastructure supplement increase for seniors and growing – not defunding – the CBC.
“We need to continue to invest in Cape Breton,” he added.
Tax cuts and not having government involved in “picking winners and losers” are main priorities for Smyth, while putting forward the idea of “investing in ourselves.” He also stressed the need to respect provincial and municipal jurisdictions.
“The fishery – our number one export – requires conservation so the resource remains strong,” MacMaster offered on the topic, so it “stays independent and healthy.” He also noted the importance of healthcare, cellphone coverage and road safety; not to mention focusing on skilled trades and apprenticeships as part of an effort “to fix the supply side of the equation.”
In putting forward the Conservatives as the right choice to carry out the latter, he said, “None of the tradespeople I know are voting for Mark Carney.”
Voice of First Nations
Considering there are five Mi’kmaw communities in the riding, the candidates were asked what they would do to move forward the reconciliation effort.
Noting language and culture are “so important,” MacMaster offered that it is important for residents – especially the young – to learn about these priorities, describing them as “critical.”
“It is crucial that we support First Nations in their communities – their young people – to learn their language, learn about their culture… and they are facing a lot of the issues that everyone else is facing. We need to make sure that they have opportunities so that they can maintain who they are but also have opportunities where they are included …” he said.
Wall bemoaned the issues First Nation communities continue to face when it comes to clean drinking water, stating that these communities – not just in the riding, but also across the country – do not have “enough influence,” and reminded that the First Nations were “here before we were.” Quoting the late Senator Murray Sinclair, she offered that is not the job of the First Nations “to teach non-Natives how to reconcile.”
As chair for the federal Indigenous caucus, Battiste said that it focuses on three aspects in achieving reconciliation, including “closing the gap” between the way their communities and others in Canada live; addressing the harms caused by the residential school system and colonization; and ensuring economic reconciliation by “creating pathways to prosperity.”
“No government over the past six years has done more, and I believe that has been because of my strong advocacy as chair of the Indigenous caucus,” he added, noting that “we went from $15 billion in investments to $33 billion”; not to mention, he said, the installation of the first federal language commissioner, along with the first Indigenous governor-general (Mary Simon) and Supreme Court of Canada justice (Michelle O’Bonsawin).
The future
The final debate topic centered on the candidates’ vision for the future of the riding.
Noting that “common sense will prevail” in dealing with Trump and his tariffs, MacMaster said Canadians will be able to focus on “all the other important issues.” Noting that many, especially young people, are seeking “real change,” he added that “who we are electing to represent us” is “more than about fear, more than Donald Trump.”
Clark described the election here as an “opportunity,” to have voices – particularly the rural ones – through the work of the NDP.
Wall – considering the lack of party ties – will be able to “stay more involved” at the local level.
She added, “Take care of people with no one left out.”
Battiste said Canadians, including in this riding, have a “choice to make,” while noting that Carney and the Liberals are the best choice to keep the country strong during “uncertain times.”
As for the Conservatives, he concluded, “They have slogans, they don’t have plans.”
