It was each candidates opportunity to shine as the Yorkton Chamber of Commerce All Candidates Forum got underway last Wednesday evening.
First up to speak was Archerwill's Elaine Hughes who is running for the Green Party.
"I decided to become a candidate because I'm concerned for Canada as I watch it go down the toilet. So called development is out of control and the precautionary principal which says 'do no harm' is not part of this country's environmental regulations.
"Across Canada, oil and gas companies, to get at that last drop of oil, are now using a process called hydraulic fracturing which threatens drinking water for miles in every direction."
With a "Green Vision" 365 days a year, this is unacceptable to Hughes and the Green Party she says.
"Mining companies are permitted to dump toxic mine waste into our pristine lakes. We measure our GDP by how much garbage we put into our landfills and the list goes on," she adds.
"Corporations are running the government. We are trashing our country and letting the devil take tomorrow. We need to ask ourselves, what kind of a Canada do we want in 2020? And how do we get there from here?
"The Green Party has a vision... it requires a shift in the way we live. It requires living within limits, limits to growth and limits to exploitation of our natural resources, conserving energy and protecting our life giving water, growing our own food, or buying from local producers.... that's just to name a few."
By building a smart economy, a true democracy and stronger communities, the Green Party can get Canada there suggests Hughes.
"A green government will create thousands of jobs through investment in renewable energy... this generation has the potential to capitalize on the single biggest business opportunity in history - the shift to a low carbon economy."
Foreign trade agreements are another area Hughes says a Green Party Government would work to reform as well as public transportation systems and the current living situations on First Nation reserves.
"It's interesting to note that just two F-5 fighter jets, which we can't afford, which we don't need, what is currently allocated to First Nations communities for drinking water."
Health care must be protected and supported she adds and not privatized.
It's time for change she asserts and "time to restore true democracy.... We have a vision for this beautiful country and with your help we can make it happen."
Next up was incumbent MP Garry Breitkreuz.
Taken by surprise by the call of an election Breitkreuz says it was forced upon the current government.
"But here we are and the entire country needs to take a very close look. This is an election I don't believe we needed. We could have continued working together," he suggests.
"If we (the Conservatives) don't from a majority government after this election, I'm afraid we're going to be doing this again soon."
Without a majority or another election Breitkreuz says there is a very real possibility of the formation of a coalition which could be damaging for Canada.
Preserving the country's economy he adds, is number one on the list of priorities for the Conservatives.
"When you look at what we have done in recent times, I think you must recognize that the Conservative government has done a very good job managing the economy. That's what you need to look at. You also need to look at what we plan for the future."
Had the current government had the opportunity to unfold its latest budget, Canadians could have seen that plan he says.
"Canada has come through the most difficult recession since the 1930s... we're not making a lot of promises in this election campaign but we are saying we will make sure that country doesn't go further into debt, we need to balance the budget and that can be done without increasing taxes.
By lowering taxes for corporations adds Breitkreuz, he says it creates an incentive for companies to invest in Canada.
"Another thing we would do is introduce justice legislation... this to me, should be a key issue in this election."
Breitkreuz says the Conservative platform is designed for all segments of society, not just a portion of Canadians.
"Our policies are for a free Canada... we need a strong majority on May 2."
In the running for the NDP Party, Doug Ottenbreit says he has a lot of respect for his fellow candidates.
"Mr. Breitkreuz is an honorable man who believes that policies his government is pursuing are the right ones. Mr. Andreychuk has served on the bench and given justice to his community. Ms. Hughes is a caring individual who wants to see a greener world...
But what this campaign comes down to, he says, is real people and their day-to-day issues.
"We have over 300,000 seniors living at or below the poverty line. That's disgraceful. Those people built this country and made it what it is. For us to allow them to slide into abject poverty without trying to do something about it is shameful."
Credit card debt is another big problem for too many Canadians says Ottenbreit.
"We're paying up to 27 per cent interest on our credit cards. The banks are making a fortune and it's time we took some action to protect the consumers. That's what Jack has proposed and I agree... Credit card rates should be tapped at prime plus five.
Students also have far too much debt he suggests.
"A typical university student comes out of university with somewhere between 20 and 40 thousand dollars worth of debt. It's like having a mortgage. Mr. Harper and the Conservatives have had five years to deal with this, they haven't..."
The democrats he adds, are also proposing job creation strategies. "It's a two prong approach. First, let's lower the tax for small business from nine to seven per cent." For every job a company creates, an NDP government would provide a $4,800 tax credit. "This would affect everybody, in every community, across this country."
A former Yorkton and Melville area Judge, Kash Andreychuk says it's the Liberals who can lead Canada to true democracy.
"I believe a dialogue with out young people is needed. They must help shape our future... our party invites participation from youth, women, seniors, First Nations, ethnic, everyone. It doesn't matter if you have a picture of a different party leader on Facebook, we still want your presence and we want to hear your ideas."
Ideas he says, are what help to produce a platform.
"Promoting good health" and preventative health are also important to the Liberals he says.
"First Nations have issues such as health, education and justice. As your member of parliament I would work with First Nations to invest in these matters."
A member of parliament Andreychuk adds, has to represent the people, first off the people of your own constituency and secondly, the people of Saskatchewan.
When there was a threat of a Potash take over, he suggests, Yorkton's current MP did not speak out against it, or for the people.
"The only Saskatchewan MP to speak for Saskatchewan was Ralph Goodale...
"Had I been there I would have surely spoken. I feel very qualified to be the person representing Yorkton and Melville. I've lived here 53 years..."
From 1967 to 1973 Andreychuk says he was elected president of the Melville Liberal Association. "So my interest in politics preceded my time on the bench. I presided as a provincial court judge for 35 years... I feel completely connected to the entire constituency and I am very interested in being able to... finding out the concerns and speaking for them..."
Voting will take place on May 2.
Learn more about each candidate and their parties by the following:
Elaine Hughes (Green Party): greenparty.ca/campaign/47014
Garry Breitkreuz (Conservative Party): www.garrybreitkreuz.com or stop by his campaign office located at the Parkland Mall
Doug Ottenbreit (NDP): www.dougottenbreit.ndp.ca. Campaign office @ 143 4th Avenue East, Melville
Kash Andreychuk (Liberal Party): kashandreychuk.liberal.ca. Office is also at the Parkland Mall.
