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Meet the candidates: David Matthews, NDP

October 9, 2015   ·   0 Comments

David Matthews, federal New Democratic Party (NDP) candidate for the riding of Simcoe–Grey, lives in Wasaga Beach with wife Ilona, daughter Dolena, and sons Colin and Aaron. He has run as a candidate twice before at the provincial level and says he lives by the personal slogan, “I saw the light”, although his party would say, “Let no one be left behind”.
We asked four of our candidates 18 questions on issues of federal importance.
Here is David Matthews’ answers, unedited and printed in its entirety:
What is the most immediate and pressing threat to our security and why?
A: The most immediate and pressing threat to our security is the fear tactics the Harper government is using. Canada has never had a terrorist attack in it’s history. A better solution for security is to change our foreign policy back to the peace-keeping role that Canada is known for and stop the aggressive acts we are following. On the world stage, Canada has always been respected as a humanitarian and peace-making country.
Will your party commit to delivering for people with disabilities, particularly women and girls with disabilities and others facing multiple forms of discrimination?
A: For people with disabilities, the NDP will introduce a Canadians with Disability Act which will seek to eliminate systematic barriers that Canadians with disabilities face. We will develop a National Action Plan to implement the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. We will work with the provinces, territories, indigenous communities and disability organizations to review and coordinate income supports. We will make Canada more accessible and insure that Canadians with disabilities will have an equal opportunity to participate in the work force and everyday life without discrimination.
Do you think Canada should be at war in Iraq and Syria?
A: I strongly believe that Canada should not be at war with Iraq or Syria. This war has not been sanctioned by the UN or the NATO Nations. Canada should pull its forces back until such time as there is put into place a concrete plan of action with obtainable results and a developed exit plan. We should also have permission from the Syrian government to attack ISIS forces inside their borders as we are, at the present time, violating their air space.
What will your party do to reduce the gap between rich and poor in Canada?
A: The NDP’s bill to protect transgender Canadians was blocked by the Conservative majority senate for more than two years after it was approved in the House of Commons, despite Stephen Harper’s opposition, and an no-show by Justin Trudeau for all five votes. We will strengthen laws and protection for the LGBT community by insuring gender identity and expression are included as prohibited grounds of discrimination in the Canadian Human Rights Act and add gender identity and expression as a basis for hate crimes in the criminal code.
What action will your party take on climate change?
A: n/a
Would you support a bill providing protection against discrimination for trans people?
A: If elected, I would commit to preserving same sex marriage rights. In Canada one of our freedoms is the freedom of choice. I do not believe in or trust any government that would trample on the rights of people to be happy.
If elected, will you commit to preserving same-sex marriage rights?
A: n/a
Should pre-campaign spending rules be changed to include contribution limits from corporations, unions and special interest groups?
A: I believe that pre-campaign rules should be changed so that no political party can accept contributions from corporations, unions, or special interest groups as this leads to favouritism to those groups by the party that is elected. I would also like to see the expenses of riding campaigns topped at 15,000 dollars to allow a fair playing field to all candidates and that candidates cannot accept donations outside of their ridings.
Should the long-form census be brought back?
A: Yes the long-form census should be brought back. The information on this census helps governments and other organizations to do studies to improve our social and health programmes.
What is your early child care policy?
A: The NDP’s early child care programme is to create and maintain one million quality child-care spaces at a cost of 15 dollars a day maximum per child. This programme will pay for itself as proven in the province of Quebec. We will work with the provinces, territories and indigenous communities to deliver early childhood education Canada-wide. We will have a National Food Programme which will include a school food programme to supply nourishing food to all students.
Where do you stand on income splitting?
A: I am opposed to income-splitting except for seniors. This programme is only beneficial to the top 15 per cent of wage earners in Canada. I would like to see a more evenly spread out tax system where everyone pays their fair share.
What is your stance on reducing green house emissions without your party carrying a big economic penalty?
A: The NDP stance on reducing green-house emissions will be to institute a cap and trade system on polluters. We will invest in research and development into our clean energy sector. We will reduce Canada’s reliance on fossil fuels. We will show up at the Climate Change Council in Paris in November with climate change targets and a plan.
What is your opinion concerning coalition governments?
A: I believe coalition governments can work. The NDP is willing to work with both the Liberal and the Green parties to give Canada a solid future. A government should always try to have meaningful dialogue between parties to come up with the best solutions to make Canada a prosperous country.
How does your party plan to keep crime rates dropping and what specifically will my party do to prevent increases?
A: The NDP will be providing funding to hire more police officers in all jurisdictions and make it easier to have all police forces working more closely in sharing information. We must do a study on which crimes deserve longer sentences and be very cautious when patrolling prisoners who have a high chance of re-offending. It is essential that we improve programmes to rehabilitate offenders.
What is your parties ‘marijuana policy”?
A: The NDP policy on marijuana is to decriminalize possession of small quantities. We will not legalize it except for prescription marijuana.
What is your stance on refugees and internationally displaced people?
A: Canada has always been a world leader in bringing refugees into our country before the Harper Conservatives came to power. I believe that Canada must bring its numbers up to the standards asked for by the UN as soon as possible. We must start with the Syrian refugees by bringing 9,000 of them to Canada by Christmas.
Are we as Canadians being “soft on terror” by not implementing further anti-terrorism laws?
A: Canada has never been soft on terrorism. Our security system has worked quite well without infringing on our rights and freedoms. An example is the capture and the convictions of the terrorist cell in the Toronto subway plot. We must stop focusing on the Harper fear-mongering and objectively increase our protection without infringing on our rights and freedoms.
What should be done to ensure further transparency in governance with our federal leaders?
To insure further transparency in governance with our federal leaders, the NDP will pass legislation that all MPs and senators, must, on demand, provide all expenditures with details for expenses paid by the taxpayers. Have the PMO disclose all salaries and expenses on demand. Have all bills put before the House of Commons for debate instead hiding them in the back of budgets, and have all trade agreements with details brought before the House of Commons for debate and approval before signing.
Loosen the regulations to the Freedom of Information Act.

By Wendy Gabrek

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