Public forum
addresses critical social issues
By Anne
Marie Aikins
Novae Res Urbis
On the heels of a less-than-decisive leaders debate, the Community Social Planning Council of Toronto hosted a federal candidates public forum to address some of the most important issues of concern to the voluntary sector – core funding, social inclusion, settlement services, gender equity and community infrastructure.
And the response from the 100-plus in attendance at Jarvis Collegiate was surprisingly respectful and tolerant given, as one women’s shelter volunteer called it, “well-earned cynicism after enduring years of funding cuts.”
John Campey, the executive director of the CSPC-T, who organized the forum with 23 other non-profit community organizations, introduced the panel, which was moderated by Tam Goossen, a council board member and past president of the Urban Alliance on Race Relations. Representing the Liberals was cabinet minister Joe Volpe, who is running in the riding of Eglinton-Lawrence; Michael Shapcott, a well-known housing advocate, was representing the NDP and is running in the riding of Toronto-Centre, where the debate was held; and Megan Harris is the Conservative challenger in the same riding. The Green Party didn`t send a candidate.
All three spoke with NRU before the debate began and all seemed confidant that their party’s leader won the televised national debate. “The only one in the group that looked like a prime minister,” Volpe said, “was Paul Martin. It was clear that Stephen Harper would hold a free vote on everything from what house you live in to a woman’s right to choose.”
Shapcott also felt very good about NDP leader Jack Layton’s credibility coming out of the debate. “There is a perception that there are only two parties to choose between, which is wrong.” he told NRU. And Harris said she was glad people could see now how solid Harper is on the important issues, adding that this election is “personal” for her.
After the candidates gave opening comments, Raymond Micah, the executive director of the African Canadian Social Development Council, asked the first question regarding the need for settlement services. Shapcott was clear that immigration has made this country great and should be increased, including establishing funding for core services.
The Liberals also plan to turn the “absorption of so many newcomers into an engine,” Volpe told the attentive group, but hesitated when it came to core funding, which would “constitutionalize the government’s relationship with service providers.” And Harris, who is a Jamaican immigrant, promised to expedite the process so foreigners can get their credentials recognized faster.
Pedro Barata, the Ontario co-ordinator of Campaign 2000, asked the candidates about much-needed support for community infrastructure, both cash and accountability. Volpe said the Liberals are committed to accountability and are trying to counter a “growing perception of cutbacks” because it “just isn’t true.” The Conservatives will work with community groups, Harris said, to ensure they have adequate funds. And Shapcott countered Volpe by listing the “massive cuts” over the years to housing, childcare and health and social transfers.
Barata’s
group has put out its own literature to help people choose a party that will
show support for a social investment plan for families and children. “Despite
consecutive years of economic growth more than one million children, or almost
one child in six, still live in poverty in
Pauline Hockenstein, the senior manager at Neighbourhood Link Community Services, addressed the issue of core funding for community agencies, which are continually forced to use project funds to pay for essential services. Harris insisted that the answers lie in “local solutions for local problems” and vowed to be flexible when addressing community issues.
Volpe said that the Liberals have resisted the urge to deal only with provinces and spent his two minutes defending his government’s various scandals and “boondoggles.” The NDP have the “real deal with cities,” Shapcott said and plan to replace the privatization ministry with a Canadian development and infrastructure ministry.
Heather McGregor, executive director of
the YWCA of Greater Toronto, asked
the panel about how they would address gender equity and improve the lives of
girls and women. Volpe is proud of the Liberals record on the issue of
equality, he said, and the “infrastructure of support emerging for women.” But
Shapcott invited the minister to visit a few single women in
And Harris countered the Liberal approach to equality as well, promising her party would not introduce legislation that would restrict a “woman’s right to choose.” But the Conservative candidate prompted the only negative vocal reaction from the group when she said she would not support additional money for daycare, choosing to give a $2,000 tax credit for each child instead.
The final question was posed by Kristyn Wong-Tam, the president of the Chinese Canadian National Council - Toronto Chapter, who asked about social inclusion and the barriers residents experience that limit their inclusion into society. Shapcott used his final opportunity to talk about income assistance and housing, systemic discrimination and racial profiling, gay and lesbian rights, and his fears that the Conservatives would repeal the hate law legislation. Though she didn’t address the NDP’s concerns, Harris vowed to support integration services for immigrants and to end the billion-dollar gun registry program and use the money to increase community services.
Volpe acknowledge that some people may be feeling alienated in society, but feels it is better to focus on a “positive approach” and concentrate on how great things are today. “It’s not okay to dump all over the government or our country,” he said.
The debate
became a little feisty during rebuttals and closing remarks with the candidates
interrupting each other and making accusations. “Not one stick of new
affordable housing has been built,” Shapcott said to Volpe, who countered by
blaming the NDP and Shapcott for making
In conclusion, “on June 28 vote for the party whose values most reflect your own,” Shapcott told the audience.