2024 Bay of Quinte by-election debate

Bay of Quinte by-election debate stream

Chambers of Commerce for Belleville, Quinte West and Prince Edward County will hold a virtual debate on September 10, 2024 at 7 pm for the upcoming by-election on September 19.

Debate format

• Standard round of timed introductions, cycle of questions/rebuttals and final remarks.
• All candidates will be provided the opportunity to respond to each one.

Submit debate questions here

Please note your question may not be quoted directly and may be combined with others.

Here is a list of services that the provincial government is responsible for.

Open Council’s submitted questions

General

• Why do you want to be a Member of Provincial Parliament?
• What first prompted you to run for office?
• What would you say is the job description of a Member of Provincial Parliament?
• What is the most pressing issue in the Bay of Quinte riding?

Health care

• Given the growing, aging population of Belleville and the surrounding area, how would you address the current challenges in Ontario’s health care system, such as long hospital wait times, and access to family doctors, long-term care and mental health services?
• What steps would you take to reduce surgical and diagnostic backlogs in Ontario’s healthcare system?
• What is your stance on privatization in health care, and how would you propose to maintain or improve the quality of public health care?
• The Ontario government plans to invest $378 million to open 19 new Homelessness and Addiction Recovery Treatment (HART) hubs across the province. Would you support submitting a proposal apply for a HART hub in Bay of Quinte, potentially to fund Belleville’s Bridge Integrated Care Centre project?
• What specific policies or programs do you support to address homelessness, particularly for those with complex needs, such as mental health or substance use disorders?

Housing affordability

• What measures do you support to make housing more affordable for residents in Bay of Quinte, and across Ontario?
• What policies would you support to increase the supply and availability of affordable housing?
• Ombudsman Ontario found that tenants stuck waiting while they endured harassment, unsafe living conditions, and improper attempts to force them from their homes. And there were small landlords, including those renting out space within their own homes, who were trying to cope with tenants’ abuse, criminal conduct, and facing financial ruin and serious health harms. What is your approach to the delays and case backlogs at the Ontario Land Tribunal and Landlord and Tenant Board?
• In 2018 the Ontario government removed rent control from rental units created and occupied after November 15, 2018. Do you support rent control or other measures to protect tenants in Ontario?
• How do you plan to address the growing issue of homelessness and support affordable housing initiatives?

Affordability

• What measures would you support to help Ontario residents cope with the rising cost of living, including essentials like housing, food and energy?
• What consumer protections such as right to repair and online subscriptions cancellation and refund rights would you implement to protect consumers and improve competition in Ontario?
• What is your stance on increasing the minimum wage or introducing a living wage in the province?
• In 2018 the Ontario government cancelled the 3-year, $150M basic income pilot program. What is your stance on basic income as an approach to social assistance?

Education

• How will you address the current challenges in Ontario’s education system around school funding, class sizes, and support for students with special needs?
• What are your priorities for improving the quality of education in Ontario, particularly for K-12 and post-secondary education?
• How do you plan to support students and educators who are still recovering from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic?

Social and family services

• What steps would you take to improve social services for vulnerable populations, such as low-income families, seniors, and people with disabilities who are on ODSP, OW?
• What is your position on the expansion of child care services and the affordability of child care?

Climate change and environment

The Federal government has a legislated target to reach net-zero GHG emissions by 2050 through the Canadian Net-Zero Emissions Accountability Act as well as its 2030 Emissions Reduction Plan and associated progress reports.

The Ontario government currently has a non-statutory target of reducing GHG emissions 30% below 2005 levels by 2030, and does not have any legislated net-zero targets or plan related to 2050.

• What measures would you support to combat climate change and promote sustainability in Ontario?
• How will you support clean energy development and reduce the province’s carbon footprint?

Energy

Ontario could need to more than double electricity generating capacity in the next 30 years and plans to procure up to 5,000 MW of energy, including wind and solar.

• What energy sources would you prioritize to meet Ontario’s growing energy needs, and why?
• Would you support wind farms in Bay of Quinte?

Economy, jobs and people

Belleville-Quinte West Census Metropolitan Area’s unemployment rate increased to 5.9% in August, up from 5.8% in July (rate is 6.6% in Canada overall).

• What would your approach be to promote economic growth while ensuring fair wages and working conditions?
• How would you describe your approach to supporting or regulating collective bargaining and unions in Ontario, and what role do you believe they play in today’s economy?

Immigration and international students

Loyalist College had a total 15,000 international study permit applications between 2018 and 2023 – 631% more in 2023 than in 2018.

• Do you support increasing immigration to Ontario to meet economic needs, such as labour shortages?
• What is your vision for immigration policy – including the international student program – in Ontario, and how do you believe it should align with the province’s economic and demographic needs?

Income and wealth inequality

• How would you address the growing issue of income and wealth inequality in Ontario, particularly concerning affordable housing, wages, and access to essential services?
• What specific policies or programs would you support to reduce the gap between the wealthiest and the poorest residents in Ontario, and how would you fund these initiatives?

Electoral system

• What is your stance on electoral reform and more specifically, allowing municipalities in Ontario to use a ranked ballot?

Indigenous rights and reconciliation

• What steps will you take to ensure that Indigenous voices are included in decision-making processes?

Diversity and Inclusion

• What initiatives will you support to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in Ontario, both within government institutions and in society?

Representation and governance

• How do you intend to ensure transparency and accountability in your role as an MPP?
• How will you engage with your constituents and make their voices heard in provincial decision-making?