PC leadership hopefuls square off in tame televised debate

The three men vying to lead the Progressive Conservative Party of Newfoundland and Labrador debated each other in the NTV studios on Sunday, but spent much of the time agreeing with each other's views on key party issues.

It was a congenial hour-long affair in which candidates were asked about a range of issues, from health care, housing, climate change, and the rights of LGBTQ students in the classrooms.

Here's a run down of the candidates' views on some of the issues identified throughout the debate.

Taxes rebuffed

Candidates talked about the taxes brought in under the Liberal government and agreed they would slash the sugar-sweetened beverage tax and fight the federal carbon tax.

On the issue of climate change, Manning said N.L. should be producing what he called "ethical oil and our clean oil" to bring more money to Newfoundlanders and Labradorians.

"And then they can address some of those climate change challenges that you alluded to," Manning said.

Wakeham said the Liberal solution to the issue has been to bring in the carbon tax, which he said hasn't been proven to reduce carbon emissions and has made life harder on people. He said he would focus on "technology and not taxation" as a solution.

"In this province, governments are elected to help people, not hurt them. When they introduce taxes like the carbon tax and the sugar tax, they take money out of the people's pockets that they could be using to buy food and to heat their homes," said Wakeham.

LGBTQ issues in school

In a recent CBC interview, Manning, a businessman and former party president, said he believed parents should be told when their children want to change their preferred name or pronouns in school. That same week, there were protests against LGBTQ rights and policies in schools across the country, as well as counter-protests.

Critics have said policies like Bill 713 in New Brunswick — which now requires all students under 16 to seek parental consent to allow them to use their preferred name or pronouns in school — would violate students' rights and hurt those who don't feel they can safely come out to their parents.

In Sunday's debate, Manning doubled down on his previous comments, while accusing Wakeham, MHA for Stephenville-Port au Port, of refusing to give a clear stance.

Wakeham said he supported an inclusive province where people are treated with respect. 

"It is remarkable that we are having this conversation in 2023 and everyone wants what's in the best interest of the child," Wakeham said.

When it was Manning's turn to respond, he defended his earlier stance, adding there was no room for discrimination in Newfoundland and Labrador — then pointed out Wakeham hadn't answered the question.

Manning also quoted the Safe and Caring Schools initiative, which says, "When parents, guardians, teachers, students, school leaders, and others see one another as partners in education, a safe, caring and inclusive community is formed."

"I can't be any clearer than that," he added.

Critics of the policy have highlighted the problems it poses when a child doesn't feel safe to come out at home.

Wakeham responded that the founding principal of family is based on a child's relationship with their parents, and that it should be "built on love, trust and support."

He added, "We need to be focused on both parents and children. We need to have further discussions, but clearly everybody understands that the parent has a critical part to play in a child's development."

Manning called on Wakeham to give his stance on the issue once more  — whether parents should be told if their child asks to have their pronouns or names changed in school — but Wakeham deflected.

Parrott, the MHA for Terra Nova, wasn't asked for his response during the debate but earlier this week told CBC News in a statement that Newfoundland and Labrador has no place for discrimination.

Gimme shelter

Both Wakehan and Parrott lambasted the Liberal government for falling behind on the the cost of housing.

Wakeham said the housing crisis isn't a new issue and he feels it has been ignored by the federal and provincial governments.

He said there are Newfoundland and Labrador Housing units that are empty because they need of repairs but instead of repairing them, the government is going to build 600 more.

However, Wakeham did agree with recently introduced subsidies for people looking to build apartments but asked about people who want to add an apartment to their home or build a new home with an apartment.

"I think we've got to find different ways of coming up with those solutions," said Wakeham.

Parrott said he disagreed with Wakeham's assessment of the subsidy.

"They're going to lessen taxes so people can build houses and that's just going to make the rich richer. They don't cap the cost. There's no regulation on the cost of rent, and that is what this province needs," said Parrott.

"We need the ability to make sure people can afford houses. That is the crisis. It's affordable housing."

Casting ballots

Sunday afternoon's debate will be the only televised debate in the leadership run.

Voting will take place leading up to the party's convention, where the new leader will be announced on Oct. 14 — in just under three weeks.

The deadline to register to vote was Aug. 15, and voting opens on Oct. 4.

Conception Bay East–Bell Island MHA David Brazil, the interim party leader, declined to run for the job due to health concerns.

Brazil has been the leader since Ches Crosbie stepped down following the last election, when he was defeated in Windsor Lake by Liberal candidate John Hogan.

Whoever is elected will likely lead the party into the next provincial election with the aim of unseating Furey's Liberals.

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