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www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver Weekend, Saturday September 27, 2008 - 3 What will you do to keep economy strong? As part of its election coverage, The Oakville Beaver will be asking each of the candidates in the Oakville and Halton ridings to respond to a weekly question. The Oakville riding responses will be published each Friday and the Halton riding responses will be published in the Saturday Weekend edition. This week's question is: : What action would your party take to protect the Canadian economy from being dragged down by the falling American economy? Robert Wagner NDP New Democrat Leader Jack Layton called the recent financial developments in the American banking system and financial markets a "wake­up call," calling for a review of the Canadian financial system and its regulation. In these troubled Robert Wagner economic times New Democrats remind voters that Canadians have the right to expect that their federal government works to ensure that our financial institutions operate under the highest standards. A New Democrat government would undertake an immediate top-to-bottom review of how banks, insurance companies, and other financial providers are regulated in this country. This review would ensure that: · our financial institutions are properly capitalized; · they fully disclose risks; · they don't substitute flawed ratings systems for real management; · and they function with the due care and prudence expected from the custodians of the savings of working families. New Democrats will protect jobs by ensuring the government penalizes companies who ship our jobs overseas, and reward those who create jobs here. New Democrats will invest in companies that provide training, and are innovating in the new energy economy and green collar jobs. Garth Turner Liberals Our election is taking place amid some of the worst turmoil Americans have ever seen. Wall Street has been rocked by a credit crisis. Worse, Main Street has been decimated by a real estate disaster as millions of families lose their homes or their savings. This year I wrote a Garth Turner book about this, Greater Fool, in which I warned that unless Canada changes its economic ways, a similar fate could take place here. So, what to do about real estate, job loss, the credit crunch and the threatened middle class? First, cut family income tax, since the GST reductions have done little to help household cash flow. People need more cash. Second, monitor gasoline prices, send a message to Big Oil and take action against those who try to fix prices. We need teeth in the Competition Act, and the guts to enforce it. Third, bring in a jobs policy to reverse the hollowing out of Ontario. We must give companies the tax breaks and incentives to invest in cutting edge, green technologies so we can create new positions. Fourth, reverse the disastrous income trust tax decision, which will help raise financial markets and restore lost billions to investors. Fifth, invest in students, schools, RESPs and universities. Sixth, work towards a stable dollar and interest rates by curbing runaway government spending. Seven, be honest with Canadians. Leadership is helping people get ahead, not helping them get into debt. This is one reason I am a candidate in this election. Lisa Raitt Conservatives There's a big difference between the Canadian and United States economies right now. Canada is in much better shape, thanks in large part to Stephen Harper's leadership. So far in 2008, the U.S. has lost more than 600,000 jobs. In contrast, over the last 12 months Canada Lisa Raitt has added more than 220,000 jobs. While American banks and insurance companies are facing a crisis, the Canadian financial sector is much more stable and well-capitalized. Canada is feeling the impact of the slowdown in the U.S. economy, however. We have lost employment in manufacturing. The recent announcement that Ford will eliminate a third shift at their Oakville plant shows what falling American demand can do, to make us feel real pain here at home. The best thing we can do in Canada is what the Conservative government is already doing: offering Canadians certainty and stability, through wise, steady economic management. We anticipated a slowdown in the U.S., and paid down $40 billion of debt, while keeping the budget balanced. We cut taxes for all Canadians, leaving an extra $3,000 in the pockets of the typical family. To help Canadians weather the global economic uncertainty, we will continue to invest in smart, prudent programs that ease the burden on parents, seniors and small businesses. Prime Minister Harper has assembled a competent, experienced team to ensure Canada weathers the U.S. slowdown in strong shape. I am looking forward to ensuring that Halton's voice is represented responsibly in Ottawa, as part of that team. Amy Collard Green Party Canada is blessed with abundant resources, a skilled and educated workforce and a highly motivated corporate culture. Why then, are we not achieving our full potential? Why is unemployment still unacceptably high in some areas of Canada? Why are small businesses going bankrupt, Amy Collard while major industrial sectors like automotive struggle with layoffs? In spite of the fact the Canadians are well educated and working longer hours than ever before, many families are falling behind. This is unacceptable. The key to a healthy economy is to create one that is sustainable. The Green Party would act quickly and responsibly to ensure a healthy, sustainable economy for Canadians. We would immediately put an end to the Security and Prosperity Partnership (SSP) negotiations which are currently leading us into full and complete dependence upon the American economy. We would focus on strengthening small businesses and building our local economies which would result in increased regional and national self-sufficiency. We would encourage economic diversification and truly "fair" trade, increase value-added manufacturing of resources and green-certified production, and shift to more renewable energy sources in order to create local economic opportunities. We have the potential to capitalize on the biggest business opportunity in our history, and that is the shift to a low-carbon economy. The country that assembles its resources and develops and commercializes low carbon technologies will not be hindered by the ever rising price of oil, and will emerge with a prosperous and sustainable economy. Canada has the potential to be that country. Oakville Chamber hosts all-candidates meeting Oct. 6 The Oakville Chamber of Commerce will host an all-candidates meeting for the Oakville and Halton ridings Monday, Oct. 6. The meeting will take place in two segments. Oakville riding candidates will take the stage from 6:30 to 7:45 p.m. (doors open to the public at 6 p.m.) Halton riding candidates will be featured from 8:15 to 9:30 p.m. The debate is at Glen Abbey United Church located at 1469 Nottinghill Gate and is open to everyone. Candidates from all four parties running in the federal election have confirmed attendance. Candidates will be answering a broad range of questions. In addition to general questions, the meeting will give the Chamber an opportunity to address issues related specifically to the interests of its members and the business community. There will be focus on issues that directly affect Oakville. Anyone wishing to submit a question for consideration should fax it to the Chamber at 905-845-6475 or e-mail johnsawyer@oakvillechamber.com. CALIFORNIA & PLANTATION SHUTTERS · Customer Satisfaction Guaranteed · Serving Oakville with Shop at Home Service · Wood & Vinyl Shutters, Supplied & Installed · High Quality at Affordable Prices Shop at Home Service Authorized Eclipse Shutters Dealer FREE SHUTTERS ETC. 905.691.4455 · www.shuttersetc.ca