Nipissing-Temiskaming federal candidates square off

Photo and video by Jamie Lyle.

Nipissing-Temiskaming federal candidates squared off on stage at École Publique Odyssée Thursday night during the “Meet the Candidates’ Night” event hosted by the Chamber of Commerce.

There were no knock out punches, but the debate did have a few moments including a zinger lobbed by NDP Candidate Rona Eckert when each candidate asked to describe something nice about their fellow candidates.

Eckert said she had been made to feel welcomed and supported by Daley and Rota at every event they had attended, and while she really doesn’t know Aspin as they had only attended one debate together, he seems like a nice guy.

“As for the Harper Government … I hate them they need to go,” which received an entusiastic round of applause from the 100 residents in attendance.

There was also a heated exchanged between Conservative Candidate Jay Aspin and Liberal Candidate Anthony Rota on the merit of FedNor becoming an agency.

Aspin contends that Fednor should remain as is and changing it to an agency would just add unnecessary bureaucracy to a program that works. Meanwhile Rota says an agency how dollars are spent must be accounted for in parliament. Eckert agreed with Rota stating that FedNor should be an agency because the Minister of Industry can use the program as a slush fund.

Green Party Candidate Scott Daley argues that going back and forth on whether or not FedNor is an agency doesn’t address the problem that there is no strategic long term economic development plan for the region.



During the two hour event the candidates touched on a multitude of issues including health care, the economy, the environment, corporate tax rates and job creation.

Jamie Lyle will have more on the debate later today.