Elections
Nancy MacBain, Candidate for Ancaster-Dundas-Flamborough-Westdale in Federal Election 2011
Details page for this candidate.
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Candidate Details (top)
| Name | Nancy MacBain |
|---|---|
| Election | Federal Election 2011 |
| Area | Ancaster-Dundas-Flamborough-Westdale |
| Party | New Democratic Party of Canada |
| Votes | 0 |
| rebecca@strung.me | |
| Website | http://nancymacbain.ndp.ca/ |
| Home | |
| Business | 289-440-3507 |
| Fax | |
| Bio | Nancy lives in Hamilton and is a staff representative with the McMaster University local of the Canadian Union of Public Employees.
She has a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology from Mount Alison University and a Master’s in Labour Studies from McMaster. Originally from Moncton, she ran for the NDP in the New Brunswick 2003 provincial election in the riding of Moncton North. |
Responses to Questions (top)
| Question | Brief Response | Full Response |
|---|---|---|
| Do you believe the Federal Government is doing everything it can to complete the cleanup of Randle Reef? Why or why not? | Yes | The Randle Reef cleanup is a massive undertaking that requires the cooperation and collaboration of all levels of government. Hamilton area NDP MPs have successfully petitioned the federal government to commit $40 million towards the Randle Reef cleanup. Continual pressure will be necessary to make sure that the federal government - and all other levels of government - make good on this commitment going forward. |
| Will you call for a full public inquiry into the 2010 G20? Why or why not? | Yes | Absolutely. Like many Canadians, I was shocked by the mass arrests and rights violations that took place during the G20 summit last summer. The NDP has already called for a full public inquiry into the G20 and I support the party's continuing efforts to get to the bottom of what happened in Toronto last summer. |
| Do you support some form of proportional representation instead of first-past-the-post voting? If so, what will you do to promote it? If not, why not? | Yes | Earlier this year, NDP MP David Christopherson brought a motion before the house that called for the abolishment of the senate and the creation of a special committee on electoral reform. The committee would consult with Canadians and make recommendations on introducing some form of proportional representation.
I wholeheartedly support the NDP's efforts to achieve electoral reform. Canadian democracy is in bad shape. Only 58% of eligible electors voted in the last federal election. Youth are among the most alienated voters. Just 37% of voters aged 18 to 24 voted in the last federal election. The first past the post system is a big part of the problem. Since it's a winner take all system, voters who did not support the most popular party are left without a voice. It also produces skewed results. As Fair Vote Canada points out, a party with 40% of the popular vote can win 60% of the seats and 100% of the power. On the flip side, a party with 30% of the popular vote could end up with only 10% of the seats. Canadians often feel that their vote doesn't matter or that they can't vote for their favourite candidate because he or she doesn't have a chance. As a result, more and more Canadians are staying home instead on election day or casting a strategic ballot to prevent someone from gaining power rather than supporting their number one choice. The cynicism and apathy encouraged by our current system is simply not acceptable. It's time we scrapped the outdated first past the post system and replaced it with some form of proportional representation. |
| Please explain how the Prime Minister and cabinet are formed in the Canadian Parliamentary system. | Yes | Canada is a constitutional monarchy. Governor General normally asks the party with the most seats to form a government The leader of that party becomes the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister selects cabinet ministers from his or her own caucus.
If a minority government looses the confidence of the House, the Governor General can invite another party attempt to form the government. In this case, the Prime Minister would be the leader of the party asked to form the government (not the leader of the party with the most seats). |
| Do you believe global oil production is at or near an historic peak? If so, what will your party do to prepare Canada for declining oil production? If not, why not? | Yes | We need to transition to a clean energy economy irregardless of whether we've reached the historic peak of global oil production. Global warming is threatening the plant and our way of life. Canada needs to reduce its dependency on oil and other fossil fuels by investing in solar, wind, wave, and geothermal sources, working with provinces and territories to share clean energy; and ensuring energy conservation in transportation and building methods. |
| Will your party take steps to make sure the foreign purchase of Canadian companies does not cost Canadian jobs? If so, what will you do? If not, why not? | Yes | Yes, the NDP is committed to ensuring that foreign investment translates into quality Canadian jobs. As outlined in our platform, we'll strengthen the Investment Canada Act by:
* Reducing, the threshold for investments subject to review to $100 million; * Providing explicit, transparent criteria for the "net benefit to Canada" test, with an emphasis on the impact of foreign investment on communities, jobs, pensions and new capital investments; * Requiring public hearings that allow for community input into decisions on both the assessment of "net benefit" and conditions to apply to the investment; * Ensuring public disclosure and enforcement of all commitments undertaken by potential investors. |
| Will you always vote along party lines, or are you prepared to vote your conscience on a matter in which you disagree with your party's position? | Yes | The NDP is the only party I have ever supported. I am comfortable carrying the NDP banner in this election because my personal beliefs and values mirror those of the NDP.
At the same time, I am a person of integrity and conviction. I would not blindly follow a NDP policy out of loyalty to the party. I also believe that an MP's first responsibility is to his or her constituents. |
| The House of Commons Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage has recommended that CBC's annual parliamentary grant be raised from $33 per Canadian to $40. Will you support this recommendation? Why or why not? If so, will you advocate for a Hamilton-based CBC radio station? | Yes | Yes. The CBC plays a vital role in promoting Canada's cultural identity at home and abroad. The NDP is committed to providing long term stable funding for the CBC and increasing capacity to deliver superior regional production and internet services. |
| Do you believe human activity is contributing to climate change? If so, what should we do about it? If not, why not? | Yes | Yes, without a doubt. Tackling climate change is one of the seven major priorities outlined in the NDP platform.
We'll address climate change by: * Adopting the Climate Change Accountability Act, which reintroduces hard targets for emissions reductions. * Putting a price on carbon trough a cap and trade system. * Reinvesting revenue raised through the auctioning of carbon credits in the new green economy. * Cut the subsidies to non-renewable energy sources land reallocate them to encourage cleaner energy production. Since the NDP puts people first, we'll also establish effective programs to help workers and communities end their dependence on polluting industries and transition to the new green economy. We'll also help communities deal with the impact of global warming and live up to international obligations to help developing nationals adapt to climate change. These ideas are outlined in more detail here: http://www.ndp.ca/platform/tackle-climate-change |
| Do you support Vrancor's attempt to remove heritage protection from 150 Main Street West (the old Revenue Canada building)? Why or why not? | No | No. I am not familiar with the issues surrounding this particular property since it is outside of ADFW. Any decision about the removal of the heritage designation will have to be made in consultation with the various interested parties and stakeholders in the community. |
| Do you believe parliamentary rule has been eroding in Canada? If so, what will you do to reverse it? If not, why not? | Yes | Yes, Stephen Harper has shown a flagrant disregard for parliamentary rule and procedure since 2006. Here are a just few examples of the Harper government's disregard for democracy that come to mind:
* Prorogued parliament rather than face the house in a motion of confidence * Refused to provide documents to parliament on the Afghan detainees matter * Fired Peter Tinsley, the head of the Military Police Complaints Commission because of his inquiries into the Afghan detainees matter * Dismissed former Veterans Ombudsman Pat Strogan when he fought for veteran's rights and exposed the scandalous behaviour of Veterans affairs. * Found in contempt of parliament for refusing to disclose the cost of its law and order agenda, fighter jets and corporate tax cuts |
| Do you believe the Federal Government needs to do more to support cities? If so, what needs to change? If not, why not? | Yes | Yes, the federal government should do more to support cities. Years of federal and provincial downloading have placed a heavy burden on cities. The Harper government has no long term plan to meet today's growing challenges.
The NDP has a practical affordable plan to help cities. We'll dedicate resources to build green infrastructure with targeted funds for urban transit, clean water, research and development. We will also implement a national infrastructure strategy and allocate another cent of the existing gas tax to public transit funding for municipalities. |
| Will your platform promote the growth of manufacturing jobs in Hamilton? If so, how? If not, why not? | Yes | Absolutely. The NDP has a number of policies that will help promote the growth of manufacturing jobs in Canada. We'll
* End the fiscally irresponsible corporate tax giveaways that have failed to stimulate the economy * Give manufacturing companies an incentive to create new jobs by introducing a Job Creation Tax Credit * Reform Canada's foreign takeover rules to ensure that foreign investment creates quality Canadian jobs. * Stop the export of Canadian jobs overseas by ensuring that trade agreements serve the needs of Canadians and adopting a Made-in-Canada procurement policy for the federal government and its agencies. |
