Elections
Will you complete the job of uploading social services costs to the Province? Why or why not?
Responses to the question: "Will you complete the job of uploading social services costs to the Province? Why or why not?"
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4 Candidate Responses (top)
| Hamilton East-Stoney Creek | ||
|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Brief Response | Full Response |
| Bob Green Innes | Maybe | Possibly, however, bear in mind that the way the question is put comes from the way the way the Liberals sold the move to make themselves look good. Uploaded? Please don't be conned by such a notion. Since the Liberals are incapable of balancing the books, what they are really proposing is to transfer the cost from the municipalities (hooray) to the next generation (boo) through increased borrowings the next generation must pay. Or if you like, the cost is being downloaded even further than it is now, since the next generation is hardly in a position to complain.
The entire question of social services needs a complete review. Everyone knows that handicapped people, which actually comprise a small minority, need assistance. But the Welfare system and the Poverty industry have grown way beyond helping a few disabled folks. This puts a strain on everyone and unfairly penalizes those that are struggling but do not qualify. There is real resentment among my constituents, many of whom are struggling on multiple part time jobs, about benefits being given to those on welfare which are beyond anything those constituents can afford. In addition, they perceive abuse of such privilege through inconsiderate behaviours that affects nearby families trying to raise children properly. Something must be done although we must also be careful that any cuts to welfare must be balanced by even more cuts to the egregious corporate welfare and bonus system that exists in this province and country. The people are being bled dry. As to who should pay, while I believe that local is usually best, I also believe that the government that calls the shots should pay the bill. The practice of shoveling money around leads to bad signals, wrong headed decisions and irresponsible expectations, not to mention the unavoidable skimming that takes place. The Family Coalition Party has a full policy platform for coming to grips with the imbalances and inequities of our economic system. |
| Mark Cripps | Yes | Ontario Liberals have spent 8 years trying to undo the damage done by the former Harris government. Social services should be the responsibility of every Ontario resident.
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| Paul Miller | Yes | During the Harris and Eaves years of provincial government, millions of dollars of provincial cost-sharing was downloaded to the municipalities. This included hospital, infrastructure spending, court security, education and social assistance. The Liberals promised to upload this money back to the province by 2018. That is seven years away. New Democrats would speed this process up by cost-sharing with municipalities.
A new, three-year dedicated fund will provide $70 million annually to help municipalities with road and bridge repairs. The operating costs of municipal transit systems will be split 50-50. Costs for social assistance and court security will continue to be uploaded. And the NDP will make a commitment not to download the cost of hazardous household waste disposal onto municipalities, or consumers in the form of eco-fees. |
| W. Peter Randall | Maybe | A tricky and sticky wicket there…obviously we are not the power in party and I am not currently an elected MPP. One thing I have always found is that those politicians we need to fear the most are the ones that appear to have all the answers- these are the dangerous ones.
Upon being elected we would have to closely examine the books, roll up our shirt sleeves and begin to draw up a roadmap to a sustainable, greener, non-debt dependent future. We Greens know that much work must be done and that the status quo of paying today and burdening our children with debt is not working. We do not pretend to have all the answers, simply eager, open and willing minds ready to tackle a myriad of complex issues via a new collaborative approach. |
Response Summary (top)
| Brief Response | Count | % of Total |
|---|---|---|
| Yes | 2 | 50.0% |
| No | 0 | 0.0% |
| Maybe | 2 | 50.0% |
4 Candidates Have Not Responded (top)
| Hamilton East-Stoney Creek | ||
|---|---|---|
| Gregg Pattinson | ||
| Nancy Fiorentino | ||
| Philip Doucette | ||
| Silas Khokar | ||
