The Saint John Region Chamber of Commerce offices. (Image: Tamara Steele)
Federal candidates from the New Brunswick Southwest riding answered questions from the Saint John Region Chamber on Wednesday.
Several questions were up for discussion including job creation.
Liberal candidate Jason Hickey said Canada must focus on the digital economy.
“That is why (Liberals) have a plan to help almost 160,000 small and medium-sized businesses to adopt new technologies, digitize their offerings, and we will create jobs for almost 30,000 young people.”
Meantime, PPC candidate Meryl Sarty said the country must turn to the oil sands.
“We have all kinds of people in the Maritimes who have gone to the oil sands, made their money there, and brought that money back.”
When asked about balancing the budget, Green candidate John Reist mentioned it cannot be done.
“So, we will not be forming the government, but we would go and keep the government accountable for the decisions they make.”
NDP candidate Richard Trevor Warren said in order to balance the budget, Canada needs to invest in people.
“Through social programs like healthcare, a solid minimum wage, dental care, a guaranteed livable income, and daycare.”
When the conversation turned to immigration to the province, Hickey added it is vital for the region’s growth, while Conservative candidate John Williamson said New Brunswick should also look at domestic immigration.
“Whether it’s because we’ve managed the pandemic better than most, whether it’s because there are opportunities for work and affordability, this is a new opportunity for New Brunswick I think we should seize.”
Reist added the province needs a mixture of immigrants from both foreign and domestic, Sarty mentioned the PPC would cut immigration to around 150,000 per year with standards new Canadians must meet, and Warren added to draw more caring individuals to the country, Canada needs more caring leaders.
We are here for the Charlotte Country region portion of our Saint John Regions Matters: Election Series. You can watch this forum now on Facebook live. It will end at 11:30 AM. pic.twitter.com/lqDSR0oAL6
— The Chamber SJ (@TheChamberSJ) September 15, 2021
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