Partisan crowd listens to Thornhill candidates debating issues
'All on same page' re Israel

YorkRegion.com
Oct. 1, 2015
Simone Joseph  

The debate between the Thornhill Conservative, Liberal and NDP candidates last night, hosted by B’nai Brith, was civilized and informative.

While there was certainly criticism of Prime Minister Stephen Harper and his Conservative government, as well as the other leaders and parties, the criticism was controlled.

The debate between Peter Kent for Conservatives, Lorne Cherry for NDP and Nancy Coldham for the Liberals featured few rants and no cut-throat attacks, nor the frustration or anger sometimes displayed by candidates.

The civility was possibly due to the fact the debate was held in a place of worship, a synagogue — The Sephardic Kehilla Centre — or the fact that it was organized by B’nai Brith, renowned for its humanitarian work.

Most of the night’s questions had been collected through B’Nai Brith’s 2015 Impact Survey, which asked respondants to choose one of eight issues as the most important issues in the federal election. The results: Canada’s relationship with Israel was chosen as the number one issue, followed by jobs and the economy.

The candidates covered a wide range of topics, including anti-Semitism and the boycott of Israel,  Bill C-51 and the world’s perception of Canada.

The candidates were in agreement when it came to boycotts of Israel.

NDP’s Cherry even pointed out: “We are all on the same page”.

Each spoke out against BDS, which stands for boycotts, divestments and sanctions. BDS is a global campaign to increase economic and political pressure on Israel until the country complies with the movement’s goals (including ending the Israeli occupation and full equality of Arab-Palestinian citizens of Israel). Its committee is a coalition of the largest Palestinian organizations, trade unions, networks and NGOs.

Cherry said he wanted to clear up the misconception that NDP is anti-Israel. He pointed out that the NDP Party has many Jewish candidates, including Noah Richler, and stated at beginning of debate that he is Jewish.

“We see BDS against Israel must be disbanded,” Cherry said.

Coldham offered her views on the subject: “BDS has no place in this country ... a Liberal government will not support boycotts or divestment of Israel or the demonization of any one people, one country, one race.” She pointed out that leader Justin Trudeau had said BDS is not reflective of Canadian values.

“It is a hate campaign that seeks to demonize Israel,” said Kent simply, an longtime MP in the Harper government.

Cherry attacked Bill C-51, the Conservatives’ anti-terror legislation, which has been criticized for the expanded powers it gives the police and the Canadian Security Intelligence Service.

“It tramples our charter of rights and freedoms. If you elect the same government, what’s next?” Cherry said.

Kent defended his government’s legislation: “Canada faces security threats. It is a strong piece of legislation.The threat is ISIS, not CSIS.”

Towards the end of the evening, a man in the audience declared he had a comment rather than a question. He went to the front of the room where the candidates sat and said: “I’m in my 80th year. I believe the prime minister we have is the finest prime minister we have lived under.” Laughter eminated from the audience.

In his closing remarks, NDP’s Cherry stated the obvious: “It is a partisan crowd.”

SIDEBAR
WHAT THEY SAID:
On combatting poverty and providing affordable housing:

Peter Kent:
Spoke about how the federal government invested in housing and would continue this funding. In July of this year, more than $6 million was invested in central housing. He noted had spoken with Thornhill parents worried about their children being first-time homebuyers in a soaring property market. When a co-op’s mortgage is paid off, subsidies shouldn’t be necessary — “Some in co-ops are squeezing out those with subsidies. It is being investigated,” he said.

Lorne Cherry:
Spoke about people in co-ops being worried their subsidies won’t continue. He lamented long waiting times for senior and affordable housing. “Senior housing is not even close to being enough. You shouldn’t have to wait six to 12 years for affordable housing. We want to reduce waiting times to ensure seniors live in dignity.”

Nancy Coldham:
She says the Liberal federal platform includes a plan for affordable housing, and the provincial Liberals are involved in the development of not-for-profit housing, as is York Region government, but there is no federal money for this.
Of campaigning door-to-door, she said: ”You won’t believe how many of your neighbours are barely holding onto their houses”.
On seniors housing, she said: “I don’t think seniors housing is a luxury. It is a priority should be looked at immediately.”