P.E.I.'s political leaders square off in polite debate

P.E.I.'s four political leaders debated the issues that matter to Islanders, one week before election day, at the Harbourfront Theatre in Summerside, P.E.I.

The debate was quintessentially P.E.I.: Exchanges among the four leaders were polite and jabs were few and far between, even toward the governing Liberal party.

Leaders laid out their themes for the evening in their opening statements and stuck close to their scripts during the debate.

The NDP's Joe Byrne pledged to help Islanders in poverty.

Dennis King said the PCs would offer a better future through a government that listens and collaborates with people.

Wade MacLauchlan stood on the Liberals' record and experience of the past four years, saying the proof of his plan is already in the economic pudding.

And Green Leader Peter Bevan-Baker said his party is ready to give Islanders the "meaningful change" they are looking for.

The questions for the debate were drawn from feedback sent to CBC by readers, listeners and viewers.

Attracting family doctors

Debate on the evening's first question led to one of the sharpest jabs by the Greens to the Liberals — the leaders were asked what they would do to attract family doctors to P.E.I. 

There are currently more than 13,000 Islanders without a family doctor on P.E.I.

Byrne pointed out the crisis has been developing for a long time and promised to double residency positions and work to create a faculty of medicine on P.E.I. 

MacLauchlan reiterated the Liberals' promise to put new resources into recruiting health professionals, and create a new primary health-care clinic in Queens County where doctors would be excited to work collaboratively with other health professionals to provide services to 8,000 Islanders.

Bevan-Baker had a retort for that. "I'm not quite sure why they were keeping that 'real plan' in their back pocket for the last four years, and how many of us can trust that the same government that created the mess that we're in now has a real plan to fix it.

"Money is not what's going to bring doctors," he added.

MacLauchlan said P.E.I. could become a "living laboratory" where health professionals can learn together, for which Byrne took credit — "great idea for a faculty, learning together. Thank you." 

Bragging rights

Some of the questions were rapid-response and not open for debate, including one that asked each leader to say what makes them the best choice for premier. 

Byrne said he is a lifelong community activist who is committed to working together fearlessly to find solutions. 

King said he is "very human" and understands and can relate to Islanders struggling to pay their bills. He also touted his skills as a collaborator.

Peter Bevan-Baker recalled standing on the same stage four years ago being asked a similar question. "I wasn't sure that I was, but this is four years later and I feel entirely different about that," he said to cheers. "I have spent four years working in the legislature ... I've learned all sorts of things that I feel have prepared me at this time to be the next premier."

Wade MacLauchlan had three answers: he said he cares, he has the track record and the experience.

'The economy is on a tear'

Another question that generated some heat was about the economy — the leaders were asked how they would ensure benefits of predicted further economic growth would reach Islanders in poverty.

Bevan-Baker said while the economy has continued to grow, there is a "huge disconnect" between the health of the economy and the health of Islanders. 

"A couple of years ago we had a magic surplus here of $75 million that appeared out of nowhere," said Bevan-Baker. "All the time this Liberal government was accumulating a massive surplus, they were not looking after the most vulnerable people here on Prince Edward Island and we really need to do something about that."

MacLauchlan pointed to a Green promise to spend $10 million to increase social assistance rates.

"Peter, I'll see your $10 million and up it to $35 [million]," he countered. "We increased, over the time we have been in government, the funding for social programs and family and human services by $35 million."

MacLauchlan said over the past three years Islanders' disposable income has increased by $1,400. "That's real progress, and it's not the end," he promised, mentioning the Liberal party's plan to create 3,500 more full-time jobs as well its promise of a P.E.I. Worker Benefit that would benefit 12,600 Islanders by providing tax breaks worth $4.5 million a year.

"If people could actually earn fair wages and liveable wages, then a worker benefit wouldn't be necessary," said Byrne. "It really is ridiculous that we ask people to live and work in poverty when they are making such a contribution to our society." Byrne reiterated the NDP's promise to immediately raise P.E.I.'s minimum wage to $15 if elected. 

"We can handle this — because for every dollar that someone on the low end of the income scale makes, they will spend it all locally. This is not going to flights off to Europe or investments in RRSPs."  

"There are a growing number of Islanders who feel like they aren't having any part of that economic success," said King, mentioning the PC plan to increase the basic personal income level from $9,100 to $12,000, "something that hasn't moved for a long time."  Low-income earners making less than $20,000 will not pay income tax, he said.  

"Yes the economy is on a tear, but is the economy fair?" asked King. "It's incumbent upon all of us to address that in a meaningful way and to make sure that programs and tax cuts are in place so that more money is in the pockets of Islanders.

"If Islanders have money they spend it and they spend it in Prince Edward Island, and that creates the economic churn we need to keep going." 

The leaders also debated high-capacity wells and protecting water resources, the carbon tax, changes to immigration policies, affordable housing and changes to P.E.I.'s four rural hospitals, and were asked if they supported a change from first past the post to a mixed member proportional method of voting. 

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