Ignatieff greets voters at ‘Open Mike’

News — 02 November 2010

Over 80 people waited in anticipation for the Leader of the Opposition to take the floor at The Centre on Friday, Oct. 29.

“Open mic with Mike” began with a warming welcome from MP candidate Roger Valley who presented a cheque to the Dryden Food Bank to be donated through Shaw Cable in support of the Triple Your Donation drive.

Michael Ignatieff opened with a speech regarding his plans if to instate a special funding opportunity for those who are forced to leave work to stay home and care for an aging or sick family member.

Ignatieff went on to talk about the $56 billion deficit that our country faces, and some ideas including cutting corporate tax breaks to assist in bringing down the deficit.

Questions arose around many different topics, including the issues at the Fort Frances border crossing. Ignatieff did not have a rock solid answer to the problem, but did state that the issues need to be taken up with Washington, and that Canada can’t do it alone.

Other major concerns brought forward included a request of the Liberal leader to explain his ideas for changing the local economy, keeping kids at home, and better employment opportunities.

Ignatieff replied with a variety of responses, including better internet services in remote and rural communities, thinking long term about what people need, highlighting the forestry industry, and better education and health care in the north.

This question was followed up by a very important topic, which was Ignatieff being questioned about his thoughts on Bill 191, The Far North Act, and the contravention of Treaty rights with the passing of the Bill.

Ignatieff replied with admitting there has to be balance, and there can’t be a situation similar to the Lac Seul flood claims. He goes on to say that it’s all about consultation, and balancing competing interests.

The questioner responded to the answer with some clarification on whether or not the decisions made during the readings of the Far North Act, and the purpose of the act, is contrary to what we are trying to achieve in the future.

“When I say, lets get around a table, what I mean is, I don’t want the federal government to walk away and say nothings happening; lets pretend its not happening,” replied Ignatieff to the difficult question. “What I’m saying is, lets keep the lawyers out of this, and lets do some politics.”

Ignatieff went on to say, “This is what you have politicians for. You get everybody in a room and you say how do we get the balance right. How do we get competing interests understood, and listened to, and respected, and then make some damn decisions, because that’s what they pay us for.”

Questions followed regarding health care, and the countries enormous deficit. Ignatieff expanded a little more on the deficit issue by reiterating the removal of the corporate tax break, as well as investing in education to get people off EI and into jobs, cancelling the purchase of the fighter jets, and a systematic review of expenditures. Ignatieff compared this to “putting the government on a diet.”

Ignatieff stated that the Liberal government is proposing a break for medical students, in either a doctor or nursing program, that is willing to settle in one of our northern communities long term, the offer of taking $20,000 off the student loan costs as an incentive to bring these professionals to the area.

“We think they settle in these communities and see how great they are, and how nice it is to live here, and the cost of living is terrific, they’ll be powerful incentives to stay here,” says Ignatieff.

Ignatieff closed with, “I just think this is the way to do politics. People need to look at me, people need to give me their best shot, I have to answer and sometimes I don’t have all the answers. But, I’m not Mr. Miracle Man here, I’m a working politician trying to listen to Canadians and give them honest, straight up answers.”

By Ally Dunham

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