Archive

Meet the candidates: Dr. Kellie Leitch, Conservative

October 15, 2015   ·   0 Comments

We asked incumbent MP, Dr. Kellie Leitch, Conservative, questions pertaining to 18 of the top issues facing Canadians in the 2015 Canadian federal election. Here are her answers:
• What is the most immediate and pressing threat to our security and why?
On October 22, 2014, Canada was shaken to the core when Michael Zehaf-Bibeau carried out an ISIS-inspired attack on Parliament Hill and the National War Memorial in Ottawa resulting in the tragic loss of Corporal Nathan Cirillo’s life. Closer to us here in Simcoe-Grey, the RCMP and our counterterrorism agencies foiled a plot by 18 radicalized terrorists to bomb downtown Toronto. Our Government is committed to rooting-out ISIS and implementing measures to give our security forces the tools they need to keep us safe and to keep Canada peaceful and prosperous.
• Will your party commit to delivering for people with disabilities, particularly women and girls with disabilities and others facing multiple forms of discrimination?
Absolutely. Our Conservative Government has implemented several measures that support persons with disabilities, including women and girls with disabilities. We have introduced the Registered Disability Savings Plan, other savings vehicles, the Opportunities Fund for Persons with Disabilities and several skills development programs, like our Social Development Partnership Program and the Enabling Accessibility Fund all under the leadership of the late Jim Flaherty. These programs exist to ensure that persons with disabilities who want to work and participate in their communities, can do so.
• Do you think Canada should be at war in Iraq and Syria?
Yes. ISIS has declared war on Canada and has committed to destroying everything we value and everything we hold dear. These are people who participate in mass killings of Christians, beheadings, crucifixions, rape, and slavery of women and children. This is purely despicable. Canada cannot stand idly by while these terrorists threaten our peace and security. Unfortunately, the NDP and the Liberals do not think that this group is worth fighting.
• What will your party do to reduce the gap between rich and poor in Canada?
We will make sure that Canadians have more of their hard-earned money in their pockets to spend on the things they need the most. Whether it’s the Tax-Free Savings Account, Income-Splitting for families and seniors, the Working Income Benefit, the Children’s Fitness Tax Credit, or the Universal Child Care Benefit, Canadians can count on our Conservative Government to make sure they have more of their money back in their hands.
• What action will your party take on climate change?
Our Government is committed to reducing Canada’s greenhouse gas emissions by 30%, from 2005 levels, by 2030. This is a fair and ambitious target that is in line with other major industrialized countries and reflects our national circumstances, including Canada’s position as a world leader in clean electricity generation.
• Would you support a bill providing protection against discrimination for trans people?
I was proud to support a Bill in the House of Commons in 2012 that did just that. Hate crimes are vicious and all Canadians deserve protection from them.
• If elected, will you commit to preserving same-sex marriage rights?
Same-sex marriage has been legal in Canada for more than a decade. Our Government has no desire to re-open this debate.
• Should pre-campaign, spending rules be changed to include contribution limits from corporations, unions, special interest groups, etc.?
Currently unions and corporations cannot contribute to federal election campaigns. Canada already has one of the most robust election spending regulations in the developed world. This is to make sure that Canadians are able to make an informed choice based on facts. Special interest groups, corporations, and unions, adhere to these rules as well.
• Should the long-form census be brought back?
No. The short-form census provides the Government with the data it needs to effectively develop policies while collecting demographic and economic information on the population. Data is also available from a wide range of other sources, from think-tanks to research institutions, to colleges and universities. Our Government believes that Canadians should not be threatened with legal action for not answering intrusive personal questions on the long-form census, and that the short-form census provides the data needed to effectively develop policy.
• What is your early child care policy?
The Conservative Party believes that moms and dads are best qualified to know how to raise their children and what form of childcare works best. That’s why our Conservative Government introduced the Universal Child Care Benefit so that parents can choose the form of childcare that works for them; whether its daycare, a neighbour, a grandparent, or relative, moms and dads now have the flexibility to make that decision. An unrealistic one-size fits all government daycare bureaucracy, as touted by the Liberals and NDP, is not the answer. Parents require flexibility and support, and the enhanced Universal Child Care Benefit provides this to them.
• Where do you stand on income–splitting?
I fully support it. Our Conservative Government was proud to introduce income-splitting for Canadian seniors and families. This allows seniors and hard-working Canadian families to keep more of their hard-earned money in their pockets, where it belongs. It’s a shame that the Liberals and NDP have said they would either change or eliminate these initiatives for families and seniors.
• What is your stance on reducing greenhouse emissions without your policy carrying a big economic penalty?
Our Government is implementing a sector-by-sector regulatory approach to reduce GHG emissions that protects the environment and supports economic prosperity. A one-size-fits-all solution does not work. We need to take a measured approach to ensure that emissions are reduced while keeping well-paying Canadian jobs here in Canada.
• What is your opinion concerning coalition governments?
The Conservative Party fully supports the Westminster system of government. The single Party that wins the most seats in the House of Commons deserves to form government. A coalition of parties that lost the election does not have the mandate from Canadians to form a government.
• How does your party plan to keep crime rates dropping and what specifically will you do to prevent an increase (ie: tougher sentencing)?
Our Government introduced and passed over 30 new measures to protect public safety and fight crime in Canada. Whether it’s our Safe Streets and Communities Act, the Truth in Sentencing Act, or the Protecting Canadians from Online Crime Act, we are committed to keeping Canada safe. Our Government introduced mandatory minimum sentences for the most dangerous and violent crimes, and we have introduced measures to keep dangerous criminals behind bars, where they belong. A re-elected Conservative Government will continue to make Canadians’ safety and security a top priority.
• What is your parties “marijuana policy”?
The Conservative Party believes that marijuana is a dangerous drug and it ought to remain illegal. As a paediatric surgeon, I’ve seen firsthand the damaging impacts that marijuana can have on a child’s development – whether it’s schizophrenia, psychosis, or other developmental challenges, marijuana has dangerous and lasting effects. Under a Conservative Government, marijuana will remain illegal.
• What is your stance on refugees and internationally displaced people?
The Government of Canada remains deeply concerned about the escalating violence in Syria and about the increasing humanitarian needs there and in neighbouring countries. The Government will speed up processing and issue visas to more Syrian refugees by the end of this year by doubling the number of staff on the ground. The overall commitment of resettling 10,000 Syrians’ is expected to be met by September 2016 –15 months earlier than planned. Canada’s existing commitment to resettle 23,000 Iraqis will also be met by the end of this year.
• Are we as Canadians being “soft on terror” by not implementing further anti-terrorism laws?
Actually, Canada has brought in some of the most effective anti-terror laws in the G7. In line with measures taken by our allies, our Government is implementing legislation that is helping our law enforcement and national security agencies stop those who promote the commission of terrorism offences in general, such as calling for attacks on Canadians. The Anti-terrorism Act received Royal Assent on June 18, 2015. Through this legislation, our Government is taking action to prevent terrorist travel, thwart efforts to use Canada as a recruiting ground, and prevent planned attacks on our soil.
• What should be done to ensure further transparency in governance with our federal leaders?
In 2006, our Government’s first act was to introduce the Federal Accountability Act. This opened up government after 13 years of Liberal mismanagement and scandals. Now, Canadians can monitor and scrutinize spending by Ministers’ and departments, can see what contracts were awarded and to whom, and can see how the Government is spending your tax dollars. Contrary to what the NDP and Liberals would have you believe, our Government has also taken one of the most open and transparent processes when it comes to legislation – direct consultation with Canadians who will be affected by it.

By Wendy Gabrek

Readers Comments (0)