Aggregate Issues Dominated May 29th Dufferin Caledon All Candidates Meeting

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Published on Monday, 02 June 2014 14:00

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Forget power plant scandals, gridlock and failed budgets. If you ask Dufferin County, the upcoming provincial election is about aggregate.

At the first two all-candidate debates for Dufferin-Caledon, pits and quarries has dominated the line of question posed to the four candidates vying to become the riding’s next MPP.

Melancthon Coun. Nanci Malek posed the first question on the management of Ontario’s pits and quarries during the second debate hosted by the Greater Dufferin Area Chamber of Commerce (GDACC) at Glenbrook Elementary School in Shelburne on Thursday (May 29).

Malek asked why the province has failed to report on the amount of aggregate exported outside of Ontario since 2000.

“We have had a Liberal government in for 11 years,” said PC incumbent Sylvia Jones.

Liberal candidate Bobbie Daid told Jones she was the voice at the table for the riding.

“I’d be happy to raise this in caucus and work with the community,” Daid said. “I’ve already talked to the premier. I’ve told her we have a problem with aggregate.”

Green Party candidate Karen Wallace also blamed Jones for a lack of local action at Queen’s Park.

“Sylvia you’re our MPP and this is a huge issue in our riding,” Wallace said. “This should be something that you’re in front of the media and in front of the house demanding.”

NDP candidate Rehya Yazbek noted transparency is vital for government.

“There hasn’t been any reporting by the Liberals and we haven’t had our own MPP stand up for it,” Yazbek said.

While aggregate issues ruled the meeting, transparency in government became a recurring theme.

Carl Cosack, chair of the North Dufferin Agricultural and Community Taskforce (NDACT) asked Jones when she found out about the once-proposed Melancthon mega-quarry and if she ever talked to lobbyists about The Highland Companies’ plan.

“In 2008, this was referred to as the Melancthon quarry,” Cosack said.

Jones noted endless rumours were circulating when Highlands purchased about 2,300 acres in the north end of the county.

“I’ve met with hundreds of people about hundreds of issues,” Jones said. “It in no way means I endorse what the issue is. This form of questioning is beneath you.”

The Green candidate said if she had heard rumours, she would be meeting with her constituents.

“Instead she was with her Tory friends,” Wallace said. “I find it insulting that you didn’t help your community. To this day, you’ve never made a public statement about that.”

Daid added “it’s clear” the riding needs an MPP that has dialogue with the government.

“I’m listening to your needs and they’re strong and they’re loud,” Daid said. “We’ve been this loud and our member hasn’t heard over the last seven years, we’ve made a mistake at the ballot box.”

If lobbyists at Queen’s Park discussed the quarry plan, residents should have known, Yazbek said.

“MPPs have to listen and hear the people of their community, not protecting corporations,” she said.

The candidates were also asked who donates to their campaigns and if corporate or union contributions would translate into future favours.

Wallace said the Dufferin Caledon Green Party does not accept corporate donations.

“We’re a grass roots organizations. Feel free to write your personal cheques on the way out the door,” Wallace said.

Daid said she has yet to receive a corporate donation.

“It is unfortunately very expensive you do need a lot of love money,” Daid said.

Yazbek told the crowd she looked into donations made in the 2001 election. She found the Liberals spent about $60,000 while Jones campaign cost upwards of $70,000.

“It was quite shocking because I plan to spend around $5,000. I don’t even know how you can spend that much,” Yazbek said, adding her employer has contributed $1,300 to her campaign.

Jones explained there is no limit to what a provincial candidate is allowed to spend on a campaign.

“There are no strings attached to those donations,” Jones said.

She urged those interested in who contributed to her campaign to visit the Elections Ontario website.

“I’ve been the member since 2007,” Jones said. “I’m not going to be able to cover it in two minutes.”

At the end of the two-hour debate, the audience enthusiastically begged for the candidates to answer more questions.

“Unfortunately, some of the candidates have to leave,” said moderator Ron Munro.

The Caledon Chamber of Commerce hosts the next debate for Dufferin-Caledon on Thursday (June 5) at James Bolton Public School in Bolton at 7 pm.

By Bill Tremblay
Published in the Orangeville Banner, May 30, 2014

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