Candidates comment on party discipline on MPPs
By Bill Rea

The candidates running in Oak Ridges - Markham in the Oct. 10 provincial election were contacted over the last week for their spontaneous responses to some predetermined questions.

Their replies are presented here in alphabetical order. What is the proper rate for

provincial sales tax?

"I think the current rate is acceptable," remarked Progressive Conservative Phil Bannon.

"I haven't thought about that," commented New Democrat Janice Hagan. "I don't like sales tax. It's a retro tax that hits working people harder."

While she said it would be "irresponsible" for her to just pick a figure, Hagan thought the rate should be reduced. "The weight of the tax should be more on the income," she remarked.

"The way it is now," replied Liberal Dr. Helena Jaczek.

"The proper rate would be zero per cent," commented Green Party candidate Attila Nagy. "I would prefer that there wasn't a provincial sales tax."

He added the Green Party believes taxes should be resource based, rather than by sales or services.

Independent candidate Doug Ransom observed that people are inclined to accept whatever rates are presented to them by the government, assuming the money is needed. He added a one per cent change, more or less, would not make a substantial difference. He pointed out the federal government cut the GST by one per cent. "Did that sharply affect the individual?" he asked. "I would say not."

He did add, however, that such a reduction would be a symbolic sign that the government was trying to reduce the tax load.

Family Coalition Party candidate Patrick Redmond said he's heard of no plans to reduce the current tax, adding he didn't think his party has a policy on it.

"I favour lower taxes, but in terms of higher exemptions for families," he said, adding he might support a reduction to PST, but would want to hear more about the implications first.

Does party discipline put

too many restrictions of the power of individual

MPPs?

Bannon said there are two ways to look at the issue.

Many people who get into provincial politics without having been involved at the grass roots tend to place their allegiance and responsibility with the party. Bannon said he entered politics at the grassroots municipal level.

"You understand and appreciate the need to be in touch with your constituents and to understand their concerns are relative to your community."

I feel I do have the responsibility to my constituents to represent their concerns at the provincial level," he added, "and I don't feel pressured in any way to abandon them."

"Absolutely," Hagan declared. "I'm totally against it."

"I believe you're in government to represent the people in your community," she added, stating elected officials aren't supposed to just represent the party to the people.

She stated that's how she will react to something she thinks her constituents don't like or is bad for the community. "I will speak against it, regardless of what my party wants me to do," she said. "That's what you're being paid for. You're paid to represent the people."

"I feel passionately about this issue," she added.

"There are occasions when there are free votes," Jaczek commented, adding the provincial Liberals do a good job of having discussions within the party on things like platform development. "I don't see a difficulty with the current situation."

"In my opinion, it does," Nagy said. "There is definitely a party dogma, a set of beliefs that all candidates have to adhere to."

He added there should be some accommodation for personal beliefs, as long as they aren't too contrary to the party. the current system places loyalty to the party ahead of loyalty to the electorate.

"Absolutely," Ransom declared, adding that as an independent, he wouldn't be subject to it.

He agreed MPPs are told by their parties how to vote.

"You are told this is good legislation," he said. "You pass it without reviewing it in depth."

"Yes, it does," Redmond declared, adding this is one of the big reasons to vote for his party. "I would not be under the control of the leader of the party."

He added this would make him different from party wants them to vote," he observed.

Editor's note

The following are questions that were put to declared candidates over the previous two weeks, before some of the other hopefuls were known to the Sentinel. These questions have been put to these people because it was thought their responses would be of interest to the voters. But they were posed after the other candidates' answers had appeared in print. Thus the newcomers might have read the previous responses, an advantage their opponents would not have had.

Are MPPs appropriately paid?

Nagy said MPPs should ideally make enough for a comfortable living, but not so much that people might seek election just for the salary. He thought something in the range of $90,000 to $100,000 annually would be appropriate, calling last year's pay hike "a little extreme."

Ransom pointed out that politicians come and go, but bureaucrats stay, adding some senior bureaucrats are skilled at bringing their ministers on side.

He stressed the importance of having MPPs doing their jobs, understanding all the legislation they deal with and asking the proper questions. If they do that, then "that's not a bad salary," he concluded.

"Yes," Redmond replied. "Pay should not be one of the top most considerations."

Should the Ontario Municipal Board (OMB) be

abolished?

"No," Nagy said. "If anything, we should put more powers to the municipalities."

He added communities should be as self-sufficient as possible, and OMB is part of that.

"I would say not," Ransom said, adding it's an oversight agency that ensures government is straight up and above board. "It's good to have an oversight agency."

He added he would have no problem if it was determined that a review of the OMB mandate was found to be in order.

"I would be in favour of abolishing it," Redmond said, adding that failing that, more controls should be imposed on it. "It overrules a lot of local decisions in communities in favour of people who may not have the best interests of the community in mind."

Is the office of Lieutenant Governor still relevant?

"That is a traditional office," Nagy said, adding he would only be concerned about the financial cost of the office.

"It's completely okay that we have traditions and maintain them," he declared.

"It's a figurehead position," Ransom commented, although he said he's been impressed by some of the people who have been appointed. As a police officer, he received his 30-year pin from Lincoln Alexander, and was very impressed by him. He added the Lieutenant Governor could provide oversight and possibly direction for legislation that could need some fine tuning.

"It seems to me to be largely ceremonial," Redmond observed, although he added he would favour retaining it for now.

How do you plan to vote in the referendum on electoral

reform?

"I would vote yes," Nagy replied. "Electoral reform should be established."

He added that under the current system, some 60 per cent of voters are disenfranchised after election day, and that's not acceptable.

"I'm staying with the status quo," Ransom said, adding such a system as MMP would need some fine tuning.

He pointed out that 39 seats in the legislature would be filled from lists compiled by the parties, and he was concerned defeated candidates could get in through the back door. He likened it to the Senate. He also would want to see parties explain how they came up with their lists.

Redmond said he plans for vote in favour of the proposed reforms. "Our party is looking towards it in a positive manner," he remarked.

Would you support reinstating photo radar?

"Photo radar punishes the vehicle, not necessarily the driver," Nagy commented, although he agreed an argument could be made the owner of the vehicle is responsible for who drives it.

"I think it's just an unfair tax," he added, saying he would want assurances that was not seen as just a source of money for the province.

"With provisions," Ransom said. He observed there could be some major advantages to setting it up in certain areas, like around schools or construction zones. But he wouldn't want to see it on 400- series highways, where people drive with the flow of traffic, or as a general tool for getting money for the government.

"No," Redmond replied. "I believe that it encourages an over-intrusive involvement in the lives of individuals."

He added he thinks the police do a good job of dealing with speeders, also pointing out photo radar has been seen as just a money maker for government.

Does the Oak Ridges Moraine Protection Act work?

"No, it's not working," Nagy said, adding water conservation measures aren't working, as developments are drawing water from Lake Ontario. "It's like a dog chasing its tail."

"To a degree," Ransom said, as he pointed out houses and other buildings seem to be going in slowly. "It seems to have limited success."

"It seems to work selectively," Redmond observed, adding it seems to prevent some people from developing properties. "People are given exemptions if they have connections, it seems."