Sault Ste. Marie federal election candidates duke it out in first CBC debate

Morning North21:09Sault Ste. Marie debate

Morning North host Markus Schwabe questions the top three candidates running to be MP for Sault Ste. Marie: Conservative Bryan Hayes, Liberal Terry Sheehan and NDPer Skip Morrison.One of the hottest federal election races to watch in northeastern Ontario is the three-way battle in Sault Ste. Marie — and the candidates agree that the top issue is how to keep the steel industry just as hot in the city.

During a debate hosted by CBC News in Sudbury, Conservative Bryan Hayes said he doesn't hesitate when asked what he's most proud of from his four years as MP.

"I think my relationship with the Steel Industry."

But New Democrat Skip Morrison, a steelworker himself, didn't buy it.

"I don't know anyone in the rank and file that believe that steel has been well represented by the Conservative government at all," he said.

Hayes pointed to investments in Sault Ste. Marie steel plants and the plans for a multi-million dollar port facility.

But Liberal Terry Sheehan said his party is the only one willing to actually build the Port of Algoma and not just study it.

"We have identified that money is available for ports and, as MP, I'll make sure that thing becomes a reality sooner rather than later," he said.

Firing back, Hayes said his opponents should do more research before questioning his record.

"I would suggest that maybe Skip and Terry might want to have a chat with the CEO of Tenaris and the CEO of Essar Algoma Steel," Hayes said.

Sault Ste. Marie is seen as one of the only three-way races in the region and has flipped between the three main parties several times in the past few decades.