Markham-Stouffville federal candidates share platform priorities

Climate change, affordability and health care will impact local residents most according to candidates

Yorkregion.com
October 16, 2019
Simon Martin

As Markham-Stouffville voters get ready to head to the polls on Oct. 21, we asked the six local candidates to answer the question, "What part of your and your party’s platform will do the most to improve the lives of residents in your riding?"

Here’s how they responded:

Liberal Party Helena Jaczek
Our Liberal plan is focused on making life more affordable for the people of Markham-Stouffville. Whether it is enhancing the Canada Child Benefit by giving up to $1,000 more to families, making maternity and parental benefits tax-free, cutting cellular and wireless service costs by 25 per cent, increasing student grants by up to $1,200 per year, expanding the First-Time Home Buyers Incentive, increasing to Old Age Security, and boosting the Canada Child Benefit for parents of newborns, we have a real plan to make life more affordable for families in Markham-Stouffville.

Independent Jane Philpott
Climate change is a top concern for Markham-Stouffville in this election. Respiratory illnesses such as asthma and infectious diseases are directly related to the warming climate. We need ambitious targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions as we transition to an economy powered by 100 per cent renewable energy. This is achievable by harnessing energy from wind, water, solar and other sources. The right incentives and regulations encourage individuals and companies to embrace the transition to a low-carbon economy. As an independent MP, I will be in a strong position to work across parties advancing the best climate solutions for Canada.

People’s Party Jeremy Lin
PPC plans to raise the basic personal exemption to $15,000 (from $12,069 in 2019) and reducing the number of tax brackets from five to two, with income from $15,001 to $100,000 taxed at 15 per cent and income over $100,000 taxed at 25 per cent. This will help local residents living in the riding by putting more money back in their pocket. More money in residents' pocket could potentially help the local economy through more spending and investments by local residents.

Green party Roy Long
As everyone knows, combatting climate change may be at the core of the Green party platform, but so too are the very real economic impacts of effective climate change policy. To support world climate targets, a Green government will pass legislation requiring a 60 per cent cut (below 2005 levels) in key noxious emissions by 2030, and zero net emissions by 2050. That’s a tall, but not impossible, order with much to benefit Markham-Stouffville. For Markham, a Green government that will mean a better, cleaner city, with significant investment in public transportation, including light rail, subway, GO transit, bike lanes and roadways.

NDP Hal Berman
A recent Ipsos survey commissioned by the Canadian Medical Association found that 60 per cent of voters would base their voting decision on the parties’ health care platforms. I am extremely proud of the NDP’s “Head to Toe” health care plan. Our vision is to provide universal pharmacare for all Canadians. This will not only help individuals with the costs of their medications, but also businesses in Markham-Stouffville that currently pay for health benefit packages for their employees. Similarly, the NDP’s “dentacare” program will start immediately to cover dental health for anyone earning less than $70,000 a year before becoming universal in future.

Conservative Party Theodore Antony

Removing the Carbon tax, home heating and energy taxes and lowering income tax will make life more affordable for local families improving their standard of living. If the Conservatives win power we are committed to improving infrastructure. This could include adding express GO trains or better access to the GTA subway system. Needs would be prioritized with input by local government with funding assistance from the federal government.