Sarnia-Lambton candidates debate climate change and more
Liberal, Conservative, NDP, Green and People's Party candidates weigh in
Sarnia-Lambton candidates from the country's leading political parties discussed climate change, the opioid epidemic, and gun control at CBC Windsor's Oct. 9 debate.
Present at the debate were People's Party of Canada candidate Brian Evaraert, Conservative Party candidate Marilyn Gladu, NDP candidate Adam Kilner, Liberal Party candidate Carmen Lemieux, and Green Party candidate Peter Smith.
Missed the debate? Watch Sarnia-Lambton candidates square off:
How will your party balance fighting climate change with the reality of the local economy?
Sarnia-Lambton is home to Canada's so-called 'Chemical Valley,' with the local economy largely dominated by the petrochemical industry.
In individual responses, candidates outlined their party's approach to tackling climate change. However, it was during the question's rebuttal portion that candidates began levying criticism at their opponents.
Things get heated between all candidates when asked how they will balance fighting climate change when so many jobs in Sarnia are linked to the region’s Chemical Valley. <a href="https://t.co/ONPHifZl6g">pic.twitter.com/ONPHifZl6g</a>
—@JasonViauCBCGladu criticized the Liberal Party's carbon tax program.
PPC candidate Brian Evaraert challenges Conservative Marilyn Gladu, saying leader <a href="https://twitter.com/AndrewScheer?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@AndrewScheer</a> talking about carbon pricing is the same as a carbon tax, as the Liberals discuss. <br><br>Evaraert says in both cases, price goes up for consumers. <br><br>Calls it “smoke and mirrors.” <a href="https://t.co/6uv8mGSkRe">pic.twitter.com/6uv8mGSkRe</a>
—@JasonViauCBCIn response, Smith argued that gas prices have, by-and-large, become cheaper.
Gladu says the Conservatives plan to “take that punishing tax away from people.”<br><br>She says the party wants to move it more towards large emitters by creating an incentive system, and punishing polluters + push for innovation.
—@JasonViauCBCEvaraert was critical of what he called "climate alarmism."
Green Party candidate Peter Smith challenges that, saying gas prices have actually gone down over the years.
—@JasonViauCBCKilner interjected, arguing that climate change is a health issue that, for example, affects breathing during summer.
Then, Liberal candidate Carmen Lemieux and Evaraert w/ the PPCs go back and forth on this. <br><br>Evaraert calls what some politicians are doing “climate change alarmism.”
—@JasonViauCBCHere's everything you need to know about the Sarnia-Lambton riding
CBC Windsor's Lambton-Kent-Middlesex debate previously scheduled for Oct. 10, has been cancelled due to a lack of candidate response and availability.
The final CBC Windsor debate, with Windsor West candidates, is set for Oct. 16.