MUSQUODOBOIT HARBOUR — The hopefuls vying for the Central Nova seat in the upcoming federal election participated in a pair of so-called panel discussions on consecutive evenings in the riding, where residents had the opportunity to hear their positions on a variety of issues.
On April 16, the candidates were in the spotlight at St. Philip Neri Catholic Church in Musquodoboit Harbour for a forum hosted by the Musquodoboit Harbour and Area Chamber of Commerce and Civic Affairs, with support from the Eastern Shore Cooperator, while the Pictou County Sport and Wellness Centre served as the venue for a Pictou County Chamber of Commerce gathering on April 17.
In Musquodoboit Harbour, the six candidates – Sean Fraser (Liberal), Brycen Jenkins (Conservative), Jesiah MacDonald (NDP), Charlie MacEachern (People’s Party), Alexander MacKenzie (Independent) and Gerald Romsa (Green) participated.
In his introductory remarks, Jenkins offered that there are “too many people like me” who have and continue to have to leave the riding to find work, and he wants to help stem that tide. “It is time for change, it is time to make life more affordable for our seniors, who are struggling; it is time to build more homes so young people have a shot at home ownership; and it is high time that we stand up for our hard-working legal fishers, construction workers and tradespeople who drive our local economy,” the first-time federal candidate added.
Jenkins explained that a Conservative government under Pierre Poilievre would “make life more affordable again” by cutting taxes, building homes, lowering costs and “boosting the economy by unleashing Canadian resources and businesses.”
Noting that he has knocked on more than 10,000 doors since garnering his party’s nomination last October, Jenkins said he is always “hearing people’s frustrations” and a desire for change, which he added he would deliver as a “full-time” MP.
Describing himself as a “regular guy,” MacDonald said he knows all about having to stretch paychecks; something he noted that many people are doing in Central Nova. He pledged that he would donate 20 per cent of his MP’s salary to non-profit organizations in the riding to help them in their important work.
“I will represent everyone in this large and diverse riding,” he added.
Noting his history as an advocate for social justice, equality and human rights, MacDonald pledged he – as part of the NDP – would “hold the federal government to account.” He added, “[I will] bring your voices to Ottawa and work for you.”
Romsa, after outlining his efforts not only nationally and internationally, but also locally with the Pictou County Food Bank, woodland operators and other organizations, since retiring to the area in 2001, pointed to his “wide amount of experience,” highlighted by “rational thinking and problem solving,” as key ingredients he would provide as the elected federal representative.
He described how Canada is at a “crossroads,” where internal and external forces are threatening our way of life, and the challenges posed by more and more people “feeling that they are left out, and do not have a voice,” which he offered makes them susceptible to extreme ones.
Romsa touted the need “to come together to make a strong team.”
MacEachern pointed to his more than 30 years of board room experience and negotiation skills as assets.
“The most important part is listening,” he offered as a key to reaching mutual agreements.
He outlined the People’s Party’s commitment to “fundamental values,” such as freedom, respect, fairness and individual responsibility.
MacEachern also stressed the need “to get [Canadians] out from the enormous weight of inflation,” with part of achieving the goal of being a federal government that no longer “funds globalist agendas,” while “taking care of things at home”; not to mention “getting control of inflationary spending.”
He added, “We need small, overlooked communities to have a voice.”
In his introduction, Fraser – who has served three terms as the federal representative for the riding – addressed what he sees as an insinuation that he would be “some kind of part-time MP,” referencing his decision a few months ago to step away from politics to spend more time with his family, and his subsequent choice to re-offer just before the federal campaign began, following a conversation with Liberal leader Mark Carney – a discussion that included assurances he could strike a better balance between his professional and personal life.
“People’s kids are not on the ballot,” he offered of his concern that this has become the case, noting it reflects “toxicity in our politics” stoked by the federal Conservative leader. Working to strike such a balance, Fraser noted, “has never impacted my commitment to this community.”
Noting that Canada faces an “existential threat” to its sovereignty and economy due to the actions of U.S. President Donald Trump, the former federal cabinet minister said the country “needs a responsible person [Carney] at the wheel, who is going to steer our economy through troubled waters,” along with an experienced Liberal team that he is a part of and hopes to continue working with to deliver for Canadians. “We actually show up for this community, work for the people in this community,” Fraser said, stating that he came to the Eastern Shore “as often as any MP ever has,” while representing Central Nova.
He added that there are not only national problems that need to be tackled, but also local ones of “great importance.”
Elected twice as a municipal councillor, MacKenzie called himself an “activist,” while describing how he “put my freedom, reputation and livelihood on the line,” including dumping ballot boxes from previous elections into the harbour in protest, which got him into trouble with the law.
“I think I have a plan for the tariffs,” he offered, explaining that in his first 100 days as an MP he would establish a phone line and collect feedback from residents – establishing the pros and cons – regarding Trump’s suggestion that Canada become his country’s 51st state. He added, despite received a cool response from the audience for the panel, “We should know what they [pros and cons] are,” noting that he is always “honest to a fault.”
Striking a balance
When asked how they would help people strike a work-life balance – allowing them to make a good living while having much-needed time with their families – MacEachern suggested that governments, including at the federal level, need “to get out of the way” of companies that want to make investments in rural Nova Scotia. Noting the importance of tapping into “our resources,” he outlined the need to get rid of “unneeded federal regulations. Such measures will help the region “not only survive but also thrive,” while creating “long-lasting jobs.”
Indicating that “urban nodes are sucking everything out of rural areas,” Romsa pointed to the need “to diversify and ask companies to move remote work to these communities,” which would allow people to work closer to home. He also offered the potential of “expanding and diversifying” the market for jobs that are “unique to the area.”
Noting what his party sees as a poor Liberal track record over the past decade, Jenkins said it “hasn’t been easy for people to find employment.” He added, “We need to unleash our natural resources in Canada,” and touched on the Conservatives’ plan to take steps, such as creating an “energy corridor” and removing interprovincial trade barriers as ingredients to creating a strong economy that would allow people to strike a much better work-life balance.
After outlining the importance of providing access to good jobs and reducing taxes, Fraser offered that “we are missing the most obvious answer,” if the country does not continue to deal with childcare costs. He noted how his party, while in government, has provided rebates for families and low-cost universal childcare. One of the legacies of those achievements, he said, was how they spurred a quarter-million boost in women joining the workforce because of better childcare affordability.
“We are lacking good jobs,” MacDonald said, stating how the NDP will remove the GST from essential, everyday items, such as those related to childcare. He also noted how his party would make strides in the area of affordable housing through the establishment of a Crown corporation to oversee it.
Home sweet home
As for how the candidates would support rural housing development – including removing the barriers that seem to be inhibiting that process – Romsa touched on the need to strengthen the economy, which would help finance an affordable housing market.
As a realtor, Jenkins described the issue as one that “hits pretty close to home for me,” offering that many people are “simply priced out of the mark.” Noting how this challenge is one of the reasons that he decided to run, he explained that there are “too many rules, regulations and costs,” while asking if another would change by re-electing the Liberals for a fourth term. He added that “his” Conservatives would remove the GST from new homes, lower development fees charged by municipalities and use federal land and buildings to create affordable housing options.
In order for people “to reach their full potential,” Fraser offered that they need to be able “to afford to put a roof over their head.”
“It is a passion of mine,” the former federal housing minister said, while pointing to the Liberals’ commitment to “putting money on the table for municipalities,” including for water and wastewater projects.
MacDonald said that no one “should be left in the cold – literally and metaphorically,” while stressing the need for “non-market solutions.” He also reiterated the NDP’s commitment to create a Crown corporation that would not only build affordable housing but also employ people.
Talking tariffs
As for the existing and threatened tariffs coming from south of the border – one of the key concerns for countless Canadians as the federal campaign unfolds – Jenkins touched on planned Conservative measures, such as removing the GST from new Canadian-made cars, along with increased access to business loans. “We need to create a strong, more self-reliant Canada,” he said.
Although there are issues that need to be dealt with “head on,” MacEachern suggested that “retaliatory actions only hurt our chances” in dealing with Trump and the U.S.
“It is a really serious issue,” Fraser said, noting the potential adverse effects on a large Central Nova employer – such as Michelin – not to mention the trickle-down results on other businesses. He pointed out that the proceeds from counter tariffs will “go to Canadians and help keep businesses afloat.”
He added, “We have been given a kick in the pants,” and outlined the benefits of lessening Canada’s reliance on the U.S. through measures, such as growing tariff-free markets in Europe and beyond.
When it comes to tariffs, MacDonald noted how these are going “to affect the most vulnerable people.” He explained that the NDP will take measures – such as immediate EI reform – to help “support workers.”
“We have to move, we have to think – build upon what we have and make things better,” Romsa said, offering how Canada “should have stood up years ago,” while focusing on research and development, tax reduction and brokering agreements with other countries.
MacKenzie reiterated his call for looking at the pros and cons associated with possibly joining the U.S. “What are we afraid of?” he said.
Supporting seniors
Jenkins described the growing number of seniors who have to continue working to finance their retirement as “devastating,” noting that many who do so are being punished when it comes to their taxes.
In an effort to help seniors “cope, survive and thrive” – like all Canadians – MacEachern said they need to be a part of a strong economy with zero inflation and a reduced cost of living.
Quipping that “we have a lot to contribute to the young pups”, Romsa pointed to the need for strong housing and healthcare options.
“It is a struggle [for many seniors],” MacDonald said, condemning the idea from years gone-by to increase the retirement age from 65 to 67.
Fraser pointed to his party’s track record, which includes increasing the guaranteed income supplement (GIS) for those who have lost a spouse, a 10 per cent increase in Old Age Security for Canadians 75 and older; not to mention a national dental care program, which he noted was passed with support from the Liberal government’s NDP colleagues at the federal level.
With four consecutive days of advanced voting wrapping up on Monday – which saw record turnouts across the country – Canadians who haven’t cast their ballots will go to the polls on Monday, April 28.
