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PAGE 20, WHITBY FREE PRESS, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 1988 Brooklrn Profile News? Call us at the Whitby Free Press. Phone 668-6111 Ashburn: Durhamriding candidates debate free trade By Debbie Luchuk Ashburn residents had a chance last week to·evaluate the Durham riding federal candidates as they met in debate at the Ashburn Community Centre. "We have an environmental focus. We're not capitalist, and are against further economic expansion," said Green Party candidate Harold Tausch, who opened. "We are in favour of minimum inpact sustainable economics to create a new society based on reverence for all life, with an emphasis on spiritual and personal growth, equally." On free trade, Tausch said his party is opposed to the pact. 'We are opposed to free trade as it undermines our ability to manage our resources, to main- tain our environmental stand- ards. "Free trade would encourage goods to be transported over a long distance, with negative consequences for the environment and the, roads. It is advantageous to large businesses as opposed to small businesses." Tausch further defined his party's platform as anti-nuclear (except for medical purposes), and pro-recycling. John Kuipers of the Christian Heritage Party defined his party's stance as pro-capital punishment, anti-abortion, anti-homosexual and working for stricter controls on pornography. "Our party policies are based on biblical principles, but we are not church-affiliated," Kuipers said. 'We are totally against abortion, against homosexual special rights, want stricter controls on pornography and want capital punishment." The party is against Bill C-72, and bilingualism because it "creates divisions in Canada. "I fully support Canada in defence strategies, and think we have to equip ourselves." Ross Stevenson, Progressive Conservative candidate, said he supports the free trade deal, and spoke proudly of the achieve- ments of the Mulroney govern- ment. "The free trade deal had its birth out of the Auto Pact. This (the deal) was the result of a study by the Macdonald Commis- sion." "The economic future of Canada is best guaranteed under freer trade with the U.S. I believe the Bill gives priority to Canadian goods in the U.S., and it is not a sell-out of natural resources. "The deal is a form of insurance in the marketplace." Marg Wilbur, NDP candidate, defined her stance as pro-rural, especially in favor of the preservation of the rural post offices; working for support programs for women, including equitable child care and pensions for women who have never worked; and adamant opposition to the reciprocity deal. "Rural post offices are the centres of the community, and help to keep people, especially seniors, able to live in the community, " Wilbur said. "We believe that there should be better support programs for farm women as well as urban, and that pensions should be doubled to women, even to those who have never worked outside of the home. "You have to decide who you trust on the free trade issue. We have been consistent about the free trade deal. What will happen if Turner has to make a decision? The Liberals are in favor of free trade." Ralph Posma, Libertarian candidate, accused the Conservative party of stealing Free trade is "the issue" of the federàl election, according to Doug Moffatt, Liberal candidate for Durham riding. "Liberals are great believers in free trade but not just with the United States," says Moffatt, adding he would like to see freer trade with Pacific Rim countries, such as China. "I could have supported this if the gaurantees were in the agreement that our social pro- grams would not be the subject of trade action," says Moffatt, a the free trade concept from the Libertarian party. "But you can go on taking our ideas. We would invite the Conservatives to steal more of our platform," Posma said. "The Libertarian party proposed free trade in 1984 as part of its integral program. In 1984, Mulroney bad an aversion to free trade. "We consider ourselves a catalyst in implementing common sense ideals, and these are being implementedworldwide. "They (other parties) say that they will take most of your money manager with United Parcel Service. He also says the agreement does not exclude large scale water diversion from Canada to the U.S. . 'He says a Liberal government would re-open negotiations with the U.S. and "could do better. 'We would pursue expanded trade through the General Agreement on Trades and Tarriffs (GAT) and encourage the U.S. and other countries to open up." The environment would also be a top priority with a Liberal government, says Moffatt. "We would clean up atmospheric pollution. We have put that in our platform." He says the Liberals want to sign an acid rain treaty while reducing or eliminating lead in gasoline by 1990. "Ronald Reagan would not talk to Mr. Mulroney about an acid rain treaty," says Moffatt, who was a member of the Ontario legislature for the New Democratic Party from 1975- -1977. While acknowledging that provincial governments most be invloved in cleaning up the environment, Moffatt says a strong central government can make research and development on the environment as part of international negotiations. "Environment Canada had 42 scientists, the Mulroney government cancelled that. That is an absolute crime," says Moffatt. He points out that a Liberal government would provide financial assistance for research on the environment. Moffatt does not dispute the $8-billion price tag of the Liberal party's child care policy, but he says the amount covers all possible forms of day care. 'Day care should suit the need of the community," says Moffatt, who outlines three types of day care. The first is for people that set up day cares in their homes. He says a Liberal government would provide tax asisstance in that case. Two, he sees tax benefits for company's that provide day care in the workplace. And, three, and do it for you, not well, but they will do it (social prograns, etc.) 'We say keep your more of your money and do it for yourself." Posma proceeded to jovially attack his opposition for the balance of his address. Doug Moffatt, Liberal candidate, told the audience he was "a great believer in freer, expanded trade. "Tariffs have been reduced, and 80 per cent of our products are duty-free and tariff-free to EE PAGE 27 e be says the program can assist schools and churches that set up day care spaces. "But there bas to be a minimum standard. The Conser- vatives would give the money to the provinces with no (country- wide) minimum standard." He says day care will become an increasing issue in Durham as the riding grows. He also sees affordable housing as an issue as the riding grows. "All four levels of government have to work together but the federal government must bring the groups together to discuss the problem." Citing Liberal policy, Moffat says a Liberal government would provide tax credits for those people spending more than 30 per cent fo their income on housing. He adds assistance would also be given in the form of a home ownership plan to help young people save for their first home. Another Liberal goal would be freezing the federal deficit, expected to bit $30 billion at the end of the fiscal year. "'We will attempt to stop it from going any higher." Moffatt says Liberal promises during the election, estimated to be $26 billion, will not affect the deficit. "All our promises won't come into effect the first day," says Moffatt, who has always supported John Tunrer as leader of the Liberal party. "We have always had pictures of John Tunrer. People saw the real Turner in the debates. We knew the debates would turn (public opinion) around." He says he did not believe the polls announced soon after the election was called. They showed the Liberal party in third place. "In this riding the issue is free trade. I knock on doors and all I get is 'I don't understand the free trade deal.' That is the issue." Moffat says he will work hard if elected and intends to make the environment a top priority. "I attack problems with a' goal-oriented-process and I will be an MP in the riding. When the bouse is not sitting I will be ini the riding and will continue te knock on doors." Doug Moffatt: Free trad is the 'issue'of election