Four of the five candidates running to be elected as the next MPP for Stormont, Dundas and South Glengarry squared-off at the Royal Canadian Legion on September 7. About 100 people attended the debate, which was hosted by the Cornwall & District Labour Council.
The evening began with Liberal Mark MacDonald, NDP Elaine MacDonald, Conservative Jim McDonell and Libertarian Darcy Neal Donnelly each having two minutes to explain why voters should choose them in the upcoming provincial election on October 6. Green Party candidate Justin Reist was not present.
Donnelly explained that "more government and more taxes is not the solution" to Ontario's economic problems and ended his speech by saying "I'm asking the voters to make a historic decision" by voting for him.
Next up was NDP MacDonald. She said the NDP would eliminate the provincial deficit by the year 2018. "The status quo is not working for working people," continued MacDonald, who finished her speech in French.
Former Cornwall City Councillor Mark MacDonald was third to speak and said the policies of the Liberal government "have made Cornwall and SD&G a great community." While discussing environmental issues, MacDonald said the Liberals have "set us (Ontario) apart from the rest of the world."
Current South Glengarry Mayor and PC candidate McDonell closed-out the opening speeches discussing some of the keys to his campaign, including public safety, education and health care. "The Dalton McGuinty government will continue to raise our taxes. We'll change that and put money back in the pockets of Ontarians," explained McDonell. "Ladies and gentlemen, it's time for change."
Once each candidate had their say, they answered a few prepared questions about education, health care and more. To see a video of Donnelly and Mark MacDonald answering one of the questions, visit the "Latest Videos" section on our homepage at www.cornwallseawaynews.com.
