But Progressive Canadian hopeful Steve Hunter declines to take part in the event at UWO. Candidates debate world poverty
Joe Matyas
The London Free Press
November 24, 2006
Poverty and international development
dominated Nov. 23rd's debate in the London byelection, the last
scheduled forum before Nov. 27's vote.
MAY: Oil money would go to poor.(DEREK RUTTAN/London Free Press file photo)
Liberal Glen Pearson, New Democrat Megan
Walker and Green Party leader Elizabeth May took part in a focused
exchange of views organized by Engineers Without Borders on the
University of Western Ontario campus.
Dianne Haskett, the Conservative candidate, was a "no-show" because of a scheduling conflict, organizers said.
The event started unexpectedly with fringe candidate Steve Hunter
of the Progressive Canadian Party using his opening remarks to
apologize to an audience of about 80 students and university staff for
a decision to boycott the debate.
"I believe in democracy, so I must respectfully decline to
participate," said Hunter, noting two other candidates -- Will Arlow of
the Canadian Action Party and independent Robert Ede -- weren't
invited.
Both are also fringe candidates.
"I would like this to be an all-candidates meeting," but it's not, Hunter said.
Pearson, Walker and May all declared themselves in favour of
increasing Canada's overseas development aid to 0.7 per cent of
Canada's gross domestic product -- a target the country has failed to
meet.
They also agreed aid shouldn't be tied to benefits for Canadians.
And they all expressed support for speedy passage of Bill C-293,
awaiting its third reading in Parliament.
Under the bill, all Canadian development assistance would be
required to contribute to poverty reduction, take into account the
perspectives of the poor and be consistent with Canada's international
human rights obligations.
Pearson said he was encouraged to run for the Liberals because of
his experience in international relief and development work in such
places as Rwanda, Bosnia and Sudan with his wife, Jane Roy.
Walker, citing the outpouring of support for victims of the Asian
tsunami two years ago, said she believes Canadians are more generous
than their government. The NDP supports increased aid that will help
some of the millions dying of hunger and the 6,000 dying daily of AIDS,
she said.
May -- whose party has no seat in the House of Commons -- said
she'd get money to help cut international poverty from large Canadian
oil companies profiting from "the world's most valuable product."
But Walker said May would be the lone voice of a political party in
Parliament, able to ask a question only every 10 days or so. On the
other hand, Walker said she'd be joining a 29-member NDP caucus and be
part of a team that asks six questions a day on the environment alone.
Candidates debate world poverty
Poverty and international development dominated Nov. 23rd's debate in
the London byelection, the last scheduled forum before Nov. 27's vote.
Haskett highlights tougher bail
Using the London courthouse as a backdrop, Conservative candidate
Dianne Haskett said a vote for her Nov. 27 is a vote for tougher bail
conditions and other anti-crime measures.
Walker says only NDP tackling Afghan war issue
Peace broke out in the London North Centre byelection war Nov. 23, with
the New Democrats continuing their push to get Canadian soldiers out of
Afghanistan.
Students urged to use 'bull detector'
"You're going to hear a bunch of baloney from all of us today," one
candidate in the London North Centre byelection warned about 700 senior
students at Catholic Central high school Nov. 22.
Homelessness highlighted as growing national 'crisis'
NDP candidate Megan Walker took her campaign to the people who live on
the streets Nov. 22, urging homeless women to vote in Monday's London
North Centre byelection.
McNaughton wins Tory nod
After a 20-month campaign to become a Progressive Conservative
candidate in the next Ontario election, Monte McNaughton has been
acclaimed to carry the party standard in Lambton Kent Middlesex.
New-look Belinda boosts Pearson
Political chameleon Belinda Stronach strolled London's Richmond Row
Nov. 21, drawing double takes, blasts from car horns and a few
perplexed looks from shoppers.
Debate draws best cards
The heat came not only from the hot, cramped quarters of the London
City Press Club at an all-candidates debate in the London byelection
Nov. 21.
Left, right support Green
Endorsements by a former high-ranking Tory, a left-leaning city
councillor and the city's first environmental mayor have Green Party
Leader Elizabeth May buoyed about her chances in the London byelection.
Haskett refuses group's queries
She admits she disappointed some of her most loyal supporters, but
Dianne Haskett says she won't fill out a questionnaire for anyone.
CAW local plans to back Pearson
With only a week left in the London byelection battle, the city's
largest union local is poised to endorse a Liberal candidate over a New
Democrat for the first time ever.
Still chance to sway voters
We asked some London North Centre voters, "How closely are you following the byelection?"
Down the stretch they come
Candidates in London North Centre took to streets and highrises Nov. 18
as they headed into the homestretch of a federal byelection campaign
that has been offbeat at times.
SPECIAL REPORT: No place for cliches
It's the prize in the Nov. 27 byelection in London, a riding nothing
like the comfortable cliches many people carry around about the city.
New Democrat appeals to auto workers, industry
In a move to take her byelection campaign in a new direction, New
Democratic candidate Megan Walker made a pitch Nov. 17 to auto workers
and their industry.
'Memo-gate' remains a mystery
It's a little of the 'I'll show you mine, if you'll show me yours' in the London North Centre 'memo-gate.'
Haskett draws wave of boos
The first candidates' debate in the London North Centre byelection Nov.
16 was a tame affair in stark contrast to recent accusations and
finger-pointing.
Walker 'torched the guy': Pearson
The temperature rose in the London byelection battle yesterday, as
Liberal Glen Pearson blasted as "sick" the actions of his New Democrat
rival over an Internet scandal.
Conservative support drops to tie with Grits
OTTAWA -- Support for Canada's Conservative government has fallen back
into a statistical tie with the leaderless Liberals, a Sun Media-SES
Research survey shows.
Haskett plays crime card
Freed from her self-imposed silence during the civic election campaign,
Dianne Haskett played the anti-crime card yesterday, vowing her party
would crack down in London.
