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Last but not least: Farah excels at Cawthra Senior Centre Debate

Published on April 29, 2011 by Katrina Grdasic

Tonight, Farah was successful at the Cawthra Senior Centre in the final Mississauga South Candidate Debate.  She depicted how Canada was on the road to a crisis through the record high deficit generated by the Tories, a demanding health care system, abused environment, as well as the rising cost of living with the HST.  The NDP is the only party that will be able to put Canada on the right track again.  Here is how she addressed the 7 main topics raised by the riding’s citizens and associations:

1. Benefits for Seniors: Unfortunately, a quarter million of Canada’s seniors are impoverished.  Farah highlighted how the NDP challenged the Conservative budget due to the fact that the “Harper government” only allocated $300 million for Seniors.  Recall that $857 million was wasted for the G8/G20 summit, demonstrating where the party’s priorities lie.  In addition, the Conservative income splitting plan was challenged: this is not something that would be executed until the budget was balanced, and therefore is not an initiative appropriate for this election.
2. Local Initiatives: Despite the fact that this is a federal election, Farah would like to see additional development of the harbour in Mississauga South.  She will work with other levels of government to make this a more attractive place for businesses to open.  In addition, making the neighbourhood safer is a priority, and will do this by keeping youth occupied with after school programs.  Crime prevention is key, rather than building mega-prisons.
3. Deficit Management: Although the New Democrats have been criticized for having a “fantasy spending” platform, Farah argued that funds will be allocated properly by not investing in unnecessary expenses such as $57 000 fake lakes and up to $29 million fighter jets without engines.
4. Democracy – Transparency, Accountability and Representation: With the Conservative in power, we cannot have a government with open dialogue since prorogation occurred.  Furthermore, the Senate is not elected by Canadians and needs to be abolished.  Proportional Representation is also sought with an electoral threshold.  The government should be at service to its people.
5. Reducing the Cost of Living: Despite how Canada has fared well through a recession, one in six children live in poverty (before taxes); this should not be happening with the resources this great country has.  Removal of the HST is desired to decrease the cost of living.  Additional assistance for small businesses would boost job creation, helping all Canadians.
6. Peaceful Foreign Policy: Canada is now in 2 wars, largely due to pressures from the US and NATO.  We should have an emphasis on peace keeping and reconstruction (through foreign aid), rather than destruction.  For instance, the Israel-Palestine Conflict was raised, and she advocated for human rights and cooperation between the two nations.
7. Environment: As seen with Japan, we have seen a wealthy and successful country deteriorated with a natural disaster, and now nuclear problems arising as a result.  Renewable energy is a crucial alternative that needs to be developed.