Tensions around immigration high for the 1st full Conservative leadership debate

Saturday night’s Conservative leadership debate got off to a chippy start when candidates were answering a question about carbon taxes and Kellie Leitch responded by sarcastically welcoming Kevin O’Leary into the race.

“First I’d like to welcome Kevin to the Conservative party and I’d like to welcome him back to Canada,” she said to a mixture of applause uncomfortable murmurs from the crowd.

Thirteen of the 14 candidates object to carbon taxes. Only Michael Chong is proposing a retooled taxation plan that includes a carbon tax. Chong was quietly booed by a few people in the crowd when he explained the merits of his plan.

Kevin O’Leary, left, is in trouble this week over a video of himself at a gun range, while Kellie Leitch has been criticized for fomenting ‘fears and prejudice’ around immigrants. (David Donnelly/CBC/Liam Richards/CP)

The debate in Halifax is the firsts to feature all 14 candidates including Kevin O’Leary. 

Other candidates soon launched into attacks on O’Leary too. After the first round of questions both Erin O’Toole and Andrew Scheer took aim at O’Leary.

Leadership candidate Maxime Bernier, right, speaks during the Conservative Party French language leadership debate on Jan. 17 in Quebec City. Also participating in that debate were, from left, Erin O’Toole, Kellie Leitch, Andrew Scheer and Pierre Lemieux. (Jacques Boissinot/Canadian Press)

O’Toole said O’Leary used to support a “Trudeau-style” carbon tax and asked when his position changed. Scheer said O’Leary had previously advocated throwing people in jail if they didn’t reduce their carbon emissions.

“I just want to put on the record that not only am I opposed to a carbon tax, I am opposed to a carbon jail,” said Scheer.

More protection for victims

On a question about mandatory minimum sentences for committing sexual assault, there was broad agreement that the justice system should do more to protect victims​ and punish offenders.

Steven Blaney, Pierre Lemieux both pushed back against decisions by the Supreme Court. Blaney said at times the Supreme Court should be told they are wrong. Lemieux said the Supreme Court was making the law. Trost said he would use the notwithstanding clause to overturn decision by “leftist judges” on matters of principle.

O’Leary said he couldn’t criticize the justice system because he had been to some of the “harshest” places on earth in his work as a businessman. He said the way the systems work in that country makes him want to kiss the ground when he comes home.

“I can’t criticize. I’m sorry. We’re lucky,” said O’Leary.

Scheer didn’t agree with O’Leary’s comparison.

“I don’t think we should compare ourselves to countries with no rule of law and say we can’t do better,” he said.

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Jobs, health care among Halifax debate themes

On a question about health care, mental health and the relationship between the provinces and federal government, there was broad consensus.

Candidates generally agreed the federal government should not tell the provinces what to do and several suggested there could be a greater role for the private sector. 

The debate heated up when candidates were asked how they would support and grow Nova Scotia’s economy and create jobs.

“Corporate taxes are insane in Atlantic Canada” said O’Leary, who promised “economic therapy motivation” to encourage provinces to get onside.

Maxime Bernier said his plan wasn’t specific to any region. He argued that his plan would lower corporate taxes and lower income tax for every single Canadian would improve conditions for everyone. 

Bernier said he wanted jobs back and people back, “and it’s already working — Kevin is with us today,” he joked, referencing the time O’Leary spends in the United States.

Training and representation

Lisa Raitt rejected the suggestion.

“We need a growth plan for each and every province because they are different.”

She said companies should be made to set up training for kids under a certain age, not just in skilled trades but also in office jobs such as human resources.

O’Toole mocked the way Liberal MPs have dealt with job losses in Atlantic Canada saying he calls the MPs “little lambs” because it has been “silence of the lambs” on issues important to Atlantic Canadians.

Scheer said Atlantic Canadians didn’t need a minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency who was from Mississauga.

Chong said Donald Trump’s plans to reduce taxes in the U.S. was a sign that Canada should also lower taxes. 

Leitch repeated her plan to cap government spending. She called for natural resource development in Atlantic Canada.

A voice for Atlantic Canada

Candidates were also asked about how they would ensure Atlantic Canada was fairly represented in the federal government.

Chong talked about his plan to give more power back to elected members of Parliament. 

Saxton and Alexander talked about specific economic opportunities they would emphasize.

Raitt, who hails from Cape Breton, said it was important to win back the trust of the voters.

“We deserve a voice. We have earned a voice. I will listen to that voice,” she said.

​O’Toole touted his own history in the region and said he, along with Raitt, had fought for Atlantic Canada as an MP. ​

Scheer said Atlantic Canada is not being treated properly right now but that it should not be a surprise because it “happens every time there’s a Trudeau in office.”

Trade between provinces and “real free trade were priorities touted by Bernier.

“It is a shame that after 150 years ​in this country we do not have an economic union,”

Blaney told the audience that his party went from zero seats in Quebec to being re-elected because the party pledged to put money back in people’s pockets and by being “true to ourselves.”

O’Leary said there was a huge opportunity for Conservatives in Atlantic Canada. He joked it would be a personal failure for him if he couldn’t make every Lebanese immigrant into a card carrying Conservative.

Article source: http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/conservative-leadership-debate-halifax-1.3967323?cmp=rss