Pharmacare and oil industry hot topics for candidates at local debate

Four of the five candidates vying for the Moose Jaw-Lake Centre-Lanigan riding gathered in front of a crowded room of constituents on Oct. 15, to tackle a handful of topics important to the local riding.

Tom Lukiwski, Conservative incumbent for the riding, Liberal candidate Cecelia Melanson, NDP candidate Talon Regent, and People’s Party of Canada candidate Chey Craik were all present. Green Party candidate Gillian Walker was absent from the panel.

Some issues garnered more time at the mic than others, with pharmacare the leading topic creating friction between candidates as well as the future of the oil and gas industry for the provinces of Canada. 

Pharmacare a heated debate due to funding

Lukiwski and Regent were the focus of a conversation regarding the feasibility and importance of creating a universal pharmacare program for the country.

The NDP platform has promised the creation of a pharmacare program by 2020, while Conservatives are planning to increase spending on health care to provide coverage to those who currently don’t have any, rather than spending money on a universal pharmacare program.

Regent spoke, during his comments, of the NDP’s plan to implement a one per cent “wealth tax” on those who have $20 million or more in net wealth.

“I have no hesitation in indicating that New Democrats are going to have a shift in priorities,” said Regent during the debate. “We are going to ensure that billionaires are held accountable.” 

The Conservatives have criticized the NDP’s plan for pharmacare, calling it unaffordable.

“The Liberals and the NDP are talking about a universal pharmacare program, with the NDP plan costing, I believe, roughly $25 to 27 billion,” said Lukiwski. “You don’t have to have a universal pharmacare program when 95 to 98 per cent of Canadians already have one.” 

Melanson voiced her party’s support of a Pharmacare program, while Craik called the program a provincial jurisdiction and stated that the PPC is not against pharmacare, but “other things need to be a priority.”

Climate change and the future of Canada’ oil industry

Another point brought to the table was the discussion of climate change, with Lukiwski and Regent once again butting heads about the future of the oil and gas industry in Canada.

Lukiwski approached the question by citing the recent success of Gibson Energy’s emission reductions as a step in the right direction. 

“That’s the type of technology we need to be exporting to the world,” said Lukiwski. “Whether it’s carbon sequestration or something like Gibson Energy, we can take that to the world.”

Lukiwski and the Conservatives advocate for the development of technology to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the oil and gas industry, while the NDP support the investment into green energy technologies and the ceasing of subsidies to oil and gas companies.

Melanson and the Liberals are determined to see a net-zero emissions future for Canada, by choosing clean technology for public transportation and making the recycling of plastic products the responsibility of the companies that produce them. The PPC continues to declare the climate change topic a non-issue.

Opinions once again flared in a discussion about the Trans Mountain pipeline project,  leaving candidates at the podium agreeing that there is a need, but with differing solutions. 

Lukiwski promised shovels in the ground on a new Trans Mountain pipeline as soon as possible, citing the oil and gas sector as the backbone of the Canadian economy. He criticized Liberal regulations that have limited the transport of oil products. 

Craik agreed that the Canadian industry needs a pipeline, but called the project outside the scope of this election’s timeline. 

“We need to get pipelines built in Canada, . . . and an energy corridor is a fantastic idea, but it is outside the scope of this election period,” said Craik, briefly citing the PPC’s plan to use Section 92 (10) of the Constitution to overrule B.C. and Quebec’s provincial opposition to the project. 

Regent called the new Trans Mountain Pipeline a poor investment, instead citing support for the replacement of existing pipeline infrastructure that would run alongside the ageing pipeline currently in use. 

“We could have shovels in the ground tomorrow [by replacing the existing pipeline], because we’re not looking to go a different route,” said Regent. “We’re not looking to go into different sacred Indigenous territories.” 

Melanson simply stated that the Liberal Party supports the pipeline project.

Closing comments from the candidates

Of the five candidates, four are running for this constituency for the first time, putting their names up against Conservative incumbent Lukiwski. 

“This is the first time for me, and I’m excited about how everything went, although I wish I could have fought a little bit more,” said Melanson, who was feeling unwell. “We’ll see what happens on Oct. 21. . . and whatever the outcome is, I will be pleased.”

Regent has been very prominent on social media throughout his campaign, which he hopes will encourage a younger vote. 

“Tonight was fantastic, there were so many people out cheering for the NDP platform I was putting forward,” said Regent. “I am in it for Moose Jaw-Lake Centre-Lanigan, and I will continue to fight and advocate for policies that are going to benefit the people of Moose Jaw.”

Craik is also a first-time candidate, running under a party that is in its first year of existence, but he feels confident in his campaign.

“There is an alternative this election cycle, and people need to vote for their values and for their conscience rather than strategically vote,” said Craik. “People are looking for a voice of reason, and I think I can be that. . . . The People’s Party is gathering the vote, and I think that will show up on election day.”

Lukwiski described this election as the most important for Canada in the last 40 years. “It’s our economy at stake,” said Lukiwski. “I think our plan is sustainable, can be done, and at the same time, balance the budget back in five years. . . and reducing taxes at the same time.”

All four of these candidates will be in Outlook tonight for another public debate, hosted by the Outlook & District Chamber of Commerce.