Federal candidates for the Souris-Moose Mountain area were in Weyburn on April 20 to debate the issues at the All Candidates Forum, hosted by the Weyburn Chamber of Commerce.
The forum had a different format than previous years as questions to candidates were predetermined by the Chamber and its members, and questions were not accepted from the public in an "open mike" approach.
Candidates at the forum included Gerald Borrowman - Liberal Party, Allan Arthur - NDP, Robert Deptuck - Green Party, and incumbent Ed Komarnicki - Conservative Party.
One hot topic candidates spoke about was cap and trade - an administrative approach used to control pollution by providing economic incentives for reducing harmful emissions.
Liberal, NDP and Green Party candidates were in favour of cap and trade policy. Only Conservative Komarnicki had objections. He said that cap and trade has failed to lower emissions.
"Basically, companies can buy credits if they can't meet standards," said Komarnicki. "There's got to be a better way."
When it came to how to keep the Souris-Moose Mountain district prosperous, Liberal, Green and NDP candidates felt that today's prosperity should be used for tomorrow's uncertainty.
"There's no doubt that Souris-Moose Mountain riding is booming," said Arthur. "But it's going to run out...the next boom will be green technology."
Arthur referred to solar and wind technology and felt that an investment in the green technologies was necessary.
"We need to use money from the old technologies to fund the new technologies," said Arthur.
Deptuck said that small changes will need to be made over time to get the country off of its dependency on oil.
"We need to make sure that those who use it wastefully pay for it," said Deptuck. "Just like tobacco, we had to put tax on it so eventually we could get away from it."
Borrowman explained that although the oil and gas industry in "booming" right now, he does not feel that it is sustainable.
"The people I know in the oil industry...talk about a cycle that goes...up and down," said Borrowman. "There are so many unknowns."
Komarnicki said that regulating fuel efficient vehicles and employing Carbon Capture and Sequestration in the oilfield were the best ways to ensure a healthy and economically balanced future.
Komarnicki said that the only reason this election has been called is "pure opportunism" on behalf of the other parties. He said if the other parties form a coalition government, it will cost the country millions and that the Conservative Party needs a majority government to get things done.
Borrowman insisted that great things have been accomplished with a minority government, such as the Canadian Pension Plan.
Arthur said that a minority government or a coalition government would not be a bad thing for Canada, "We can still govern."
Deptuck concluded by saying that the only way to let the Harper Government know that the people are in charge is to vote on May 2.
