Trost stands on his party's record
by Keith Solomon
Journal Staff Writer
If it ain't broke, don't fix it.
That's how Conservative MP Brad Trost sees the Canadian political climate heading into the May 2 federal election.
Although his party's government fell recently as the result of a non-confidence motion, after the Opposition deemed them to be in contempt of Parliament, Trost says the Conservative Party has nevertheless served Canadians very well during its five years in office. Saskatchewan residents have benefited from that strong governance, and they will continue to do so should they vote the Conservatives back into power.
"Saskatchewan values are very much Conservative values," Trost told the Humboldt Journal. "We believe in families, in justice, in supporting agriculture, and in fostering a strong economy."
Trost is also a staunch opponent of gay marriage, noting that a 2005 poll indicated 92 per cent of his Humboldt-area constituents agree with him.
A sitting Member of Parliament since 2004, Trost said Saskatchewan's past support of the Conservatives (with 13 Conservative MPs representing the province in the just-dissolved Parliament) has paid big dividends for us in recent times. He noted that actually having a voice in government, rather than in opposition, has meant more economic benefits right here - including $1 billion in support to the agricultural sector.
Trost said many Conservative initiatives - such as getting tougher on crime, and the bid to scrap the long gun registry - reflect the wishes of his constituents. He noted that a dozen crime bills have been passed since the Conservatives came into power in 2006, including the revamping of the Youth Criminal Justice Act (formerly the Young Offenders Act).
But while those laws are designed to take a tougher stance against crime and criminals, Trost doesn't feel ordinary citizens ought to be forced to have to register their rifles. That's why, should he be re-elected, he vows to see the scrapping of the long gun registry through.
"I was very disappointed in the way the opposition handled that vote," he noted of the defeated motion that would have seen the registry scrapped in 2010. "Especially the NDP, who only let their members vote according to their beliefs once they already determined the bill wasn't going to pass. That's not a free vote. We will be unflinching in our resolve to see the registry scrapped."
Trost said having the Conservatives in power has also benefited Humboldt in a host of other ways, including with the federal Knowledge and Infrastructure Program. That program saw an infusion of funding into post-secondary education, with both St. Peter's College (SPC) and the Carlton Trail Regional College (CTRC) reaping benefits.
He noted that CTRC's welding apprenticeship program and other work placement initiatives don't just benefit the college, but bolster the local economy as well.
"It makes a big difference for companies like Bourgeault (Industries, in St. Brieux), or the LeRoy Jansen (mine) project, which can draw on those skilled workers," he said.
Seeing that federal money reach smaller communities has also been part of the Conservative philosophy of spreading the wealth, Trost said.
"With programs like that, it used to be that all that money would go to Saskatoon and Regina, or just to larger centres," he noted. "But now the smaller centres are benefiting as well.
"I recall being out at Naicam one time to announce funding for their community rink," he added. "The boys were all dressed in their hockey uniforms and lined up on one side, and the girls were in their figure skating outfits on the other. Everyone in the community had come out to hear this announcement. I was really impressed with that. It wasn't a lot of money, but to them, it meant a lot."
Trost also vowed to keep working with Canada's railways to ensure transportation issues for agriculture are addressed, noting that "we need to keep shipping costs down."
He also recognized the need to increase support for immigrant families, in order to ensure smooth integration into the fabric of Saskatchewan life. Helping them with both language and skills acquisition is the key to ensuring they will enjoy a strong future in this province, he said.
MP candidate Hill brings former political experience to the table
by Jodi Schellenberg
Journal Staff Writer
He has a face that may be familiar to many people in the Saskatoon-Humboldt riding.
Darren Hill, Liberal candidate for the Saskatoon-Humboldt riding, brings plenty of former political experience to the table.
Hill has been on the Saskatoon City Council since 2006. He was the alderman for Ward One, but took a leave from city council to run in this federal election.
He believes his past political experience makes him a great MP candidate.
"When I first got into politics, it was nothing I had thought of in my earlier years," said Hill.
"I simply entered because I was frustrated with my representative and I understood that I could not complain about it unless I tried to do something about it, so I ran and was elected."
After being elected to city council, he completely feel in love with the public sector, representing people and helping them solve problems.
"There's nothing more rewarding than helping someone fix a problem, whether that's as straightforward as a pothole in front of their house or whether it's helping them find a doctor for their community," said Hill.
"I get great joy in helping people in their communities solve their issues."
Hill wants to help residents of Saskatoon-Humboldt have their voices heard.
"It's been expressed to us by many residents in Saskatoon-Humboldt that they are tired that they haven't had a voice with their current representative," said Hill. "They want to make sure their concerns are taken to Ottawa. That's primarily the main focus of our platform."
Some of the concerns Hill wants to help address are health care, infrastructure and funding for safety issues.
He feels these issues are important to everyone in the riding and the government needs to prepare for their constituents' futures.
"There are people who are looking at their retirement years, and they need to know they're able to retire in the comfort of their community and that they're going to have access to services to ensure quality of life - that's health care services, recreational services, adequate and safe infrastructure - all of those speak to retirement with dignity," said Hill.
"We need to ensure that the federal government is working in co-ordination with both the provincial and municipal government to ensure that seniors can retire with dignity in the communities where they raised their families.
"It really boils down to the fact that the people we have talked to are not happy with their representation," said Hill. "They feel that their riding is being taken for granted."
Over the past 10 months, Hill has been spending a lot of time in the riding, going to local events like fall suppers.
"It was a great chance to sit down and communicate with the people of the area," said Hill. "At the end of the day, I learn more and understand the people of the riding more, by simply listening to them and hearing their concerns... A good politician wins more votes with his ears than with his mouth."
Although Hill currently lives in Saskatoon and was on Saskatoon City Council, he grew up in a farming community, which he said is a bonus in representing this riding.
"In order to represent this riding properly, you have to have knowledge of both (rural and urban) areas," said Hill. "I certainly bring that with my experience on Saskatoon City Council and (being) raised in rural Saskatchewan."
Even though he knows not everyone will vote for him, if elected he promises to represent all his constituents equally.
"I'm prepared to speak for Saskatoon-Humboldt for all the issues," said Hill. "Not just the issues that I agree with and not just the issues for those who support me, I will speak for all the issues in Ottawa and represent everyone that is in Saskatoon-Humboldt."
Hill has always been a supporter of the Liberal party, because he feels it represents Canada the best.
"It's a true representation of all the citizens of Canada," said Hill. "They speak for every group, no matter what their economic background, their cultural background or their faith belief. The Liberals truly represent Canada."
MP candidate Kouri voices election concerns
by Jodi Schellenberg
Journal Staff Writer
Health care, infrastructure and tax credits for small businesses are her issues and Denise Kouri is her name.
Kouri is the NDP candidate for the Saskatoon-Humboldt area in next month's federal election on May 2.
The main objective Kouri has in the upcoming election is to beat her opposition, Brad Trost, the current Conservative MP for Saskatoon-Humboldt.
"He hasn't represented us well and he's gone unchallenged for far too long," said Kouri.
She feels the NDP is a strong alternative to the Conservative party.
"We've actually out-polled all the other parties in the last five elections," said Kouri. "We're the only party that can send him packing."
Kouri explained the NDP stands for helping people with their lives, which is why one issue in her platform, health care, is so important, because it impacts everyone, regardless of age.
Kouri feels the Conservative government has not been a positive driving force behind health care.
"We know that Harper has essentially neglected medicare and health care in general and our program is refocused on medicare," said Kouri.
Health care is a major issue in the rural area, said Kouri.
"Jack Layton (leader of the NDP) has restressed the issue of doctors in rural areas," said Kouri.
Kouri hopes to help resolve this problem.
Another big issue in this year's election are tax credits for small businesses.
"We are real people, building something from nothing, working a lot to create opportunities for our families and neighbours, " said Kouri.
"I think we should make it as easy as possible for our businesses to grow and succeed and create jobs, and that's what the NDP's tax credit is aimed at."
Kouri also feels that infrastructure is an important point to consider, because it is important to the smaller areas and rural areas in the riding.
"I was really disappointed with Trost and his insulting remarks last year, when the funding was about to be eliminated," said Kouri. "He basically called people school children."
Another important aspect of Kouri's campaign is the focus on the future.
"I think we need to be future oriented and be positive about the youth," said Kouri. "We need to be thinking about young people and their future."
Kouri is also fluent in French since she grew up in a Francophone community.
"I know there are many Francophone communities in the riding," said Kouri, explaining how speaking French would be an advantage to the people in her riding.
Kouri is strongly opposed to Stephen Harper's government.
"I got into politics because I felt we needed a change from Harper," said Kouri. "I just don't like (his) kind of politics and I think our people deserve a better government than that."
Kouri feels she is the right person to challenge Trost in this election.
"I know a lot about public policy, I have a lot of experience in public policy, I've lived in the riding for over 20 years," said Kouri.
"I don't live in the rural part of the riding, but I do come from rural Saskatchewan. So I do understand life experience and knowledge."
