N.W.T.'s federal candidates trade barbs during CBC election forum
The four candidates vying for Member of Parliament in the N.W.T. traded barbs and talking points in front of a packed house Thursday evening during CBC N.W.T.'s federal all-candidates' forum.
- REPLAY | Catch up on the live chat at the N.W.T. all candidates forum
The forum was the first — and only confirmed — chance for the territory's voters to see the NDP's Dennis Bevington, Michael McLeod of the Liberal Party, Floyd Roland of the Conservatives, and the Greens' John Moore spar in the same room during the campaign.
Despite being the youngest and least experienced of the four candidates, it was the 21-year-old Moore who captured the crowd, drawing spontaneous applause on numerous occasions as he jabbed at his opponents.
In one memorable exchange, Moore said in response to a question about job creation that "to count on Mr. Roland to build a Northern economy is very similar to counting on Judas to not sell you out. It just won't happen."
Roland, who found himself on the defensive for much of the evening, fired back with a biblical reference of his own, pointing to the Greens' low representation in Parliament by saying that "he who hath no sin cast the first stone."
Northern issues in spotlight
A wide range of questions were posed by the audience, both in person and online, with the majority focused on North-specific issues like infrastructure development, land claims, and the cost of living.
A question on the overrepresentation of aboriginal people in the justice system showed the ideological divide among parties.
Moore began the discussion by highlighting the Greens' focus on rehabilitation and reintegration, as well as legalizing marijuana, which he said "is a massive overrepresentation in the corrections system."
Bevington attacked the Conservatives' hard-line stance on punishment before highlighting First Nations' education as a possible strategy, pointing out that NDP leader Tom Mulcair has pledged to double funding to aboriginal education over the next eight years.
McLeod spoke about the Liberals' pledge to approach aboriginal governments on a nation-to-nation basis, addressing the root causes of aboriginal social issues by investing in health, well being, and safe water.
Saying that he "comes from a place of tough love," Roland said that "there used to be a much greater respect for our elders and our own people than we find today.
"Part of it is education," he said, "but it all has to start at home, and the governments... need to find a way to start working together."
Fracking interruption
Despite the partisan nature of the near-capacity crowd — many in the audience were sporting NDP or Liberal buttons — the atmosphere was relatively cordial during the forum, with no boos and few interruptions.
However, as moderator Loren McGinnis prepared to wrap up the evening by giving the candidates time for closing statements, one audience member moved quickly to the front of the room, interrupting McGinnis in an attempt to ask a question.
She wanted to know whether the candidates would be willing to amend national filing requirements to require companies engaged in hydraulic fracturing to disclose the chemicals put in the ground during the process.
Despite some back and forth, McGinnis eventually relented and allowed the question to be asked after Moore ceded time from his closing statement.
"Yes," said Moore in response. "Above and beyond all else... we need data. And the Harper government has not allowed for the collection and dispersion of data."
Bevington agreed, saying that "it's not simply good enough to look at fracking in terms of what's going on on the ground, but what's happening in the ground as well," pointing to potential disturbances to the environment.
Roland again pointed to his own experience, saying that he pushed, during his time in territorial government, for the territory to take the reins on fracking regulations.
"It shouldn't be someone making a decision 4,000 kilometres away from us," he said. "It should be Northerners."
McLeod said a Liberal government would launch a national environmental assessment on fracking, saying that "we need to provide certainty for communities," while understating the importance of full disclosure.
Another all-candidates' debate — the final one scheduled for the N.W.T.'s candidates — is set to be hosted by local magazine Edge YK on Sept. 13. Moore, Bevington, and McLeod have thus far confirmed they will be in attendance.
