Federal election questions: Round 4 (West Vancouver)

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• Federal election questions: Round 4 (West Vancouver)
• Federal election questions: Round 3 (West Vancouver
• Federal election questions: Round 5 (West Vancouver)
• Federal election questions: Round 4 (North Vancouver)
• Federal election questions: Round 1 (North Vancouver)
• Federal election questions: Round 2 (West Vancouver)

Should oil tankers be banned from Burrard Inlet? If yes, how should oil be transported? If no, what environmental protections do you suggest?

Terry Platt, NDP -

This is a very tough issue. We have to be as protective of our environment as possible. Its’ our home. If the oil tankers are triple hulled, with extreme safeguards, and constant surveillance, tankers could be safer than a pipeline. I don’t have all the answers for this one but I am very willing to find out more.

Dan Veniez, Liberal -

No. A Liberal government will conduct an independent review of Canada’s oil spill prevention and response capability, including the legislative and regulatory regimes, and capacities and practices in place across the country for prevention and remediation of oil spills. It will create a world-leading oil spill contingency plan to ensure the very best emergency and safety measures are part of the cost of doing business. New liability limits would ensure taxpayers are not left to pay for the clean up.

John Weston, Conservative -

The Conservatives’ goal is to bring environmental and economic considerations into harmony – our environment is a sacred trust.  We will continue to impose among the strictest regulations in the world on off-shore tanker traffic; tankers must be double-hulled.

Brennan Wauters, Green -

Tankers should be banned; the risk is too high. Oil does not need to be transported off-shore. Use petroleum to get off of petroleum. Canada has enough oil to supply itself; we are supplying across borders and at the same time importing oil. This does not make energy sense. We need to be producing less oil with less ecological impact and when we do produce oil it should be used in Canada. What we need to be exporting is not oil but the products we produce using oil and gas we have.

One of our readers is about to turn 65. She was shocked to learn her Old Age Pension cheque will be only $526 a month. What amount do you think would be reasonable?

Terry Platt, NDP -

My mum gets about $1,200 from the combined CPP and supplement. She owns her own home. Has no car. I think that a pension of approximately $1,700 to $2,000 based on combined CPP and OA Supplement would go a long way to alleviate seniors’ poverty and insecurity.

Dan Veniez, Liberal -

This is not a matter of what I think is reasonable, but what someone needs to live a dignified and healthy retirement. And by any objective measure, $526 is not only inadequate, it’s a national disgrace. A Liberal government will support a gradual increase of the defined benefits under the core CPP to enhance the retirement security of all Canadians. We will boost the GIS benefit for low-income seniors by $700 million per year, strengthening an important tool in the effort to eliminate poverty among seniors, especially older women and seniors with disabilities.

John Weston, Conservative -

No amount of money is enough to thank and protect the people who built this wonderful county.  As a result of the Conservative’s actions, seniors and pensioners will receive about $2.3 billion in additional tax relief  in 2011-12. Since 2006, Conservatives have:

• Increased the Age Credit amount by $1,000 in 2006, and by another $1,000 in 2009.

• Doubled the maximum amount of income eligible for the Pension Income Credit to $2,000.

• Introduced pension income splitting.

• Increased the age limit for maturing pensions and Registered Retirement Savings Plans to 71 from 69 years of age.

To ensure hardworking Canadians have protection for their retirement security, their unpaid wages and their benefits.  Our government:

• Changed the law to ensure pension contributions are paid ahead of secured creditors.

• Created the wage-earner protection program to protect employees’ unpaid wages, severance and termination pay.

• Cut taxes for seniors and pensioners, including introducing pension income splitting.

• Is working with the provinces to introduce a new Pooled Registered Pension Plan (PRPP)

Brennan Wauters, Green -

Any amount would be reasonable as long as what that amount accomplishes is a complete, productive, contributing, fulfilling, healthy, active and happy life for our seniors. Seniors have worked their whole lives contributing to the creation of our society. Give them the dignity they deserve to continue contributing in a healthy and positive way, safe from the perils of old age.

Have you ever voted for a party other than the one you are currently running for? If so, why?

Terry Platt, NDP -

I once voted for a man who ran as an independent. He had been an MLA for the BC Liberals but was not reconsidered by the party to run again. He was an honorable man who, even though he was not an NDP MLA, always answered my letters and addressed my concerns. He assisted me on several issues and worked toward some changes, on my behalf. I voted for Jeremy Dalton and when he passed away, I attended his memorial. He was a fine man and I am sure the community misses him. This was the ONLY time I ever voted for someone not of my party.

Dan Veniez, Liberal -

For the most part, I have voted Liberal because the party reflected my core belief system. I voted Progressive Conservative in 1984. I thought the Trudeau Liberals were tired. I supported Jean Chretien until 2006. That was when I voted for Stephen Harper’s Conservatives. I thought his ideas of openness, accountability, transparency, and Senate reform had merit. I also believed that he would continue on the sound fiscal path created by Chretien-Martin. My trust could not have been more misplaced.

John Weston, Conservative -

I am not a tribal person but have always voted for the party which best reflects Canadian values: freedom, responsibility, equality, compassion and integrity.

Brennan Wauters, Green -

Yes. The Green option is relatively new and has arisen out of great need by great minds who know the entire globe is one place, one planet; it’s all we’ve got. In some cases I have voted for the candidate even though the party was not exactly my selection; this reflects an understanding of democracy that is not always obvious to the new voter. In true democracy it is acceptable for representatives to have differing opinions on topics - that’s where debate functions to establish consensus and a talented politician who can skillfully represent knows that compromise will sometimes be necessary.