CUDDY SHARK YRAA FOOTBALL FUTURE SEEMS UNCERTAIN PAGE B11
IMPENDING WAVE
OUR VIEW
READ OUR SERIES ON SENIORS PAGE B1 AND DEMENTIA
WHAT’S HARM IN LETTING ALL DEBATE ISSUES PAGE A9
yorkregion.com
It’s Coming, Be Prepared!
905.727.4258 We Service All Makes... www.tholiver.com
Publicationmail agreement #40051189
Thursday, Sept. 24, 2015
Federal candidates vow to push for ways to assist local families
FEDERAL ELECTION 2015
A
s a regular feature leading up to the Oct. 19 federal election, we will ask you to weigh in on issues that matter. Last week, we asked: What does this election mean to you? Here’s what you said: “For us seniors, it’s about security, our pensions and the economy. A lot of seniors rely on income from investments and if the economy isn’t strong, it has an impact on that. Also, tax breaks for seniors and working with other levels of government on issues like health care is very important.” Jim Abram, Aurora JIM ABRAM
“The election is an important opportunity for people to express their feelings about the government. I think it is time for change.” Doug Leitch East Gwillimbury
DOUG LEITCH
$1 store sales / 52 pages
905-853-8888
From daycare improvements to tax credits, promises abound from all parties BY CHRIS SIMON
I
CANADA Decision 2015
csimon@yrmg.com
mproving the lives of local families starts with ensuring they have a wellbuilt community, Newmarket-Aurora Liberal candidate Kyle Peterson said. There’s no doubt residents are having a more difficult time making ends meet than they were a decade ago, Peterson said. So, if the federal government is going to help improve the lives of Canadians and, more specifically, Newmarket-Aurora residents, it has to create high-paying local jobs and invest in infrastructure projects. “Modern families are juggling more constraints on their time than ever before, from commuting and raising kids to caring for a sick relative or (aging) parents,” Peterson said. “Government really hasn’t adapted to this generational reality.” The Liberals would enhance the child benefit for lower income earners, cut
“I don’t think I’m going to like the results. I think we’ll be in real trouble if the NDP is in power. I think the Conservatives have been doing OK.” Ron Metropolit East Gwillimbury
taxes for the middle class, and introduce the national early learning and childcare framework comprehensive policy. Changes to current legislation to allow for more flexible working hours and proposed amendments to the employment insurance program will also aid families, he said. NDP candidate Yvonne Kelly says her party will implement a $15-per-day childcare program across the country, work to create more affordable housing through the introduction of a new national housing strategy and create higher paying, “green” industry jobs in the area.
SIDELINED
“The commitments needed to support families come in a variety of different (ways),” she said. “A cornerstone for our platform is making life more affordable. In Newmarket-Aurora, life is becoming more unaffordable. People are accumulating a lot of debt. They are paying out of pocket for things beyond their capacity. Wages have stagnated. For families, the stress of not knowing if they’re going to be able to secure a childcare spot is enough to be a burden; we need to be able to provide those spaces. Most families are in a position where they have to have two income earners. We want to invest in communities and local economies.” Conservative incumbent MP Lois Brown said the government must stay on its current course, though the party does promise, if re-elected, to implement a $2,000 tax
See page A6.
FEDERAL ELECTION 2015
RON METROPOLIT
“It’s very important. We need more democracy.” Patricia Grant, Newmarket
DORIAN BAXTER, PC
Baxter calls for debate boycott
PATRICIA GRANT
“It means everything. It’s time for change. It’s improving social assistance and welfare for the disadvantaged, not continuously worrying about deficits and not saying we’re not going to raise taxes.” Andrew Darke, Newmarket
D
ANDREW DARKE
“It means same old, same old to me. But if there is one issue, I would say I’m interested in the pensions, of course, because I am of that age.” John Pynn, Keswick
STAFF PHOTO/MIKE BARRETT
JOHN PYNN
“This election is a chance for Canada to get back on track. We’re a very social country, but in the last 8 to 10 years we’ve become warmongers. The best government for us is one that has all parties working together.” Meade Helman, Bradford
Running back Adre Simmonds of the Saint Andrews Saints is forced out of bounds by Mike Strumos (left) and Skyler McMurtry of the Huron Heights Warriors during an exhibition match played Saturday in Aurora. The Saints won 20-3.
Council debates Mavrinac property BY TERESA LATCHFORD
tlatchford@yrmg.com
MEADE HELMAN
“It means a lot of confusion to me. I’m not even sure who to vote for at this point. All I keep reading about is a cut here, another cut back there. Everyone says they can do things for us but I’m not convinced.” Nicole Kim, Bradford NICOLE KIM
Limiting the land to green and open space for the town-owned Mavrinac property is too restricting, according to one Aurora councillor. Councillor Harold Kim urges town staff to begin exploring possible uses for the 2.4-hectare property the town now owns and, while fellow Councillor Paul Pirri supports the proposal, he feels looking only at greenspace uses could hinder the town from using the property to its full potential. “I would still love to see some sort of affordable housing on a portion of the property, maybe partnering with Habitat
Lose UltraShape v3
BY CHRIS SIMON
csimon@yrmg.com
orian Baxter is so incensed that he will not be permitted to take part in the Oct. 6 Newmarket Chamber of Commerce all-candidates debate that he is asking other candidates to boycott the event. The Progressive Canadian Party candidate has been gaining public support since learning he would be excluded from the debate portion of the event at Newmarket Theatre. “I’m outraged,” Baxter said. “There’s no valid reason for doing this. It’s totally bizarre. I see this as a move to sideline me completely. “What they’re doing is assaulting the democratic rights of the residents of NewmarketAurora to have a clear view of what’s available to them. When you stop and think of the ramifications of this, how can somebody in my position ever get into Parliament? It just doesn’t give you the opportunity.”
GET CONNECTED ❑
TELL US what you think about this issue. Email tkibble@yrmg.com.
for Humanity,” Pirri said. “I don’t know if community halls or meeting places are being considered.” He made two attempts to change the wording of the request and have staff report back with a variety of usage options space, but he couldn’t gain support.
Now, he’s calling on other candidates to boycott the chamber debate. “I will be asking the remaining four candidates to boycott your undemocratic debate if you and your purported cohorts do not relent as it sets a very dangerous precedent that undermines everything democratic that Canada stands for,” Baxter said in an open letter to chamber president and CEO Debra Scott Tuesday. “Democracy denied is democracy destroyed.” In an email sent last week and since obtained by The Era, Scott told Baxter the chamber’s election policy requires debate participants to have party representation in the House of Commons or provincial legis-
See page A2.
See page A6.
GET CONNECTED TELL US what you think about this issue. Email tlatchford@yrmg.com.
Inches with no Effort uses harmless ultrasound waves to kill fat cells and permanently reshape tummies, love handles and inner thighs.
During the month of
September
35% OFF UltraShape Body Contouring & 15% OFF Accent Cellulite Treatments 905-853-3200 • www.yorkvein.com Dr. Philip Kritzinger MD • 647 Davis Drive • Newmarket Dr
C
M
Y