Candidates from all four parties with a seat in the House of Commons were invited, and three were represented at the Port Hope Lions Club on February 19 to discuss economic issues affecting Northumberland-Peterborough South ahead of next weeks provincial election.
The business-focused event, co-hosted by The Northumberland Central Chamber of Commerce, Port Hope & District Chamber of Commerce, Peterborough and the Kawarthas Chamber of Commerce and Clarington Board of Trade, provided a platform for candidates to share their policies and priorities with the local business community.
Port Hope & District Chamber of Commerce CEO Brenda Whitehead tells us why it’s important to the district chambers of commerce to host the event.
Wyatt Sharpe, a young journalist and Trinity College student moderated the discussion, which included questions on topics such as how to address tariffs, workforce development, affordability, and healthcare. Bruce LePage (NDP), Dorothy Noronha (Liberal), and Maxwell Groves (Green Party) participated, while PC candidate David Piccini declined the invitation due to commitments with the central campaign.
Whitehead says she was pleased with the turn-out.
Candidates highlighted their approaches to small business support, infrastructure investment, and economic growth. The NDP emphasized affordability and healthcare, the Liberals focused healthcare and education, and the Greens prioritized transit and collaboration with municipalities. All agreed that the uploading of some responsibilities to the provincial government would help local municipalities and the growing tax burden on residents.
We asked Whitehead what are the priorities for local businesses.
Candidates also spoke to long-standing issues such as doctor shortages, food insecurity, and barriers to education. The event provided business owners and residents with insight into how each party plans to address economic concerns ahead of the election.
To learn more about the issues in the upcoming election and hear from all the candidates running on February 27, be sure to visit the Provincial Election section of our website where you can find interviews with all six candidates running for MPP of Northumberland-Peterborough South.
(Written by: Joseph Goden)
