On Tuesday evening, the Greater Sudbury Chamber of Commerce hosted a panel discussion at the Centennial Area in Hanmer with federal election candidates.
Three candidates on the ballot for the Sudbury East-Manitoulin-Nickel Belt riding faced a number of questions from a small group. Conservative Candidate Jim Belanger did not attend.
On the issue of tariffs, NDP candidate Andréane Chénier said her party “has been very clear: for us, any money that is collected from tariffs is going to be reinvested in supporting small businesses.”
Trade barriers
“Eliminating the inter-provincial barriers will have the same impact on the GDP of Canada (as) the tariffs,” said Marc Serré of the Liberals.
Green Party candidate Himal Hossain said 40 per cent of the supply chain in Sudbury is reliant on US exports.
“So the idea is, of course, not obviously to just retaliate, but also the ability to collaborate using other innovative ways of business,” Hossain.
On taxes, Chénier said that “neither the Conservatives who are not here … or the Liberals are willing to do that because they both have already voted against those kinds of tax reform.”
Tax reform
Serré said there are “many things that we could do but, we have to find ways to look at making sure, that our tax system is fair.”
“It’s reducing taxes when it comes to small businesses,” Hossain added.
“What we should also be doing is understanding that the current government truly hasn’t really done anything when it comes to, you know, increasing the tax, a corporate tax on, let’s say, the oil and gas sector.”
All three candidates agreed that economic growth is important for the riding, but not at the expense of the environment. The discussion also covered health care, helping the middle class and rural airports.
The chamber will host another panel discussion for the Sudbury riding Wednesday night at College Boreal from 7-8:30 p.m.
