Canadians shortchanged by leaders’ debate

VICTORIA - Canadian voters did not get value from the English national leaders’ debate.  A wide range of critical issues were ignored while the four party leaders focused on attacking each other.

“We have been unfortunate enough to witness a low point in Canadian political history. The clear objective of all four of these men was not to present policy ideas or offer solutions. Their only goal was to score hits on each other,” said Elizabeth May, Leader of the Green Party. “When it came to exploring the broad diversity of issues and concerns facing Canadians, the cupboard was bare.”

Some of the critical issues the debate failed to address include:

• Addressing climate change: The leaders paid lip service to the issue, but failed to seriously address how Canada will live up to its obligations.
• Investing in renewable energy solutions: Countries around the world are already investing billions in these industries and technologies, creating green jobs and making their nations more competitive. Canada is falling behind.
• Creating greater equality for women: Canadian women still do not enjoy equal opportunity and pay in the workplace. Last week, the Canadian banks voted against increasing the representation of women on their boards.
• Investing in Canada’s cities: Municipalities need stable, permanent funding for infrastructure and transportation.
• Supporting First Nations communities. In yet another debate, Canada’s First Nations were ignored by the four other parties.
• Homelessness: There was no debate on the growing crisis of Canada’s homeless, or how the other parties will help cities provide affordable housing.
• Libya: Canada is engaged in military operations in Libya, but the leaders did not even touch on the mission’s objective or Canada’s role.
• Food policy: How do we ensure Canada has a safe and reliable food supply?

“I could go on listing the orphan issues the other leaders weren’t interested in talking about. These are issues I would have raised. Even the when the other leaders did talk about issues, it was a superficial at best. The issues were simply platforms for launching attacks on each other,” said May. “Canadian voters walk away from this debate without hearing a positive vision. The Green Party would have brought that to the table."

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Contacts:

Debra Eindiguer
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Green Party of Canada
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Green Party of Canada
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Kieran Green
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Green Party of Canada
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