OCFA Hosts Lively Debate in Embro

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Thursday, 17 April 2025 11:59

6 of the 8 Oxford County candidates took the stage to answer questions from residents about the Ag sector.

OXFORD COUNTY - It was a lively debate hosted by the Oxford County Federation of Agriculture.

6 of the 8 candidates running to become the Member of Parliament for Oxford were in attendance. The two candidates who were absent were Cheryle Baker running for the Green Party, and Steven Beausoleil of the People's Party of Canada. Supply Management was a major topic brought up during the question period. Liberal Candidate, David Hilderley, shared his thoughts.

"The first step would be not to have tariffs, and to have a Prime Minister who is able to negotiate and able to stand up to the President of the United States."

Next to share is Christian Heritage Party Candidate, Jacob Watson.

"So, we would 100% stand in line in protecting supply management."

NDP Candidate, Matthew Chambers, had this to say.

"The NDP wants to protect our supply management through consumer trade negotiations."

Conservative Candidate, Arpan Khanna, made it known how his party would handle the issue.

"Here's the bottom line: we will not negotiate any of our quota away when it comes to supply management with the US, our party stands firm against that."

The Independent Candidate, Akshay Vardhen, gives his stance.

"I would want to focus on Oxford itself, what we could do to strengthen ourselves."

And it was the United Party of Canada Candidate, Meliane Van Brugge, who made the final statement on the Supply Management topic.

"So, first of all, I would like to say thank goodness for supply management; otherwise, we would be paying what the Americans are: $11 for a dozen eggs."

The Candidates also took the time to discuss the burning topic of the Carbon Tax and how it is affecting farmers and what should be done about that. Van Brugge gave these thoughts.

"There is no alternative for drying out grain, and when it comes to the Carbon Tax that is being placed on that, it absolutely, 100% has to go."

Hilderley responded with this answer.

"On a personal basis, I think it's fair that that tax be eliminated for our farmers."

Watson shared his thoughts.

"Yeah, the CHP is for getting rid of all Carbon Tax period."

Chambers had this to say regarding the Carbon Tax on farmers.

"The New Democrats support taking the financial pressures off of farmers who don't have any alternatives to propane and other natural gases."

Khanna showed where he was on the issue.

"Farmers that are drying their grains, running their operations, and heating their barns are being affected by the Carbon Tax."

Laslty, Vardhen brought to light his stance.

"I am against the Carbon Tax, and I am in favour of Bill C-234."

The debate wrapped up just before 9 p.m., and the Candidates also shared their thoughts on other topics like the employment gap in the Agriculture sector, their plans to help with getting students interested in working on the farm, and what they can do to get inter-provincial trade going.