8 Election 2015

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Election 20 L5elnteniews

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Grant Bachand Contributor

ver the Edge with CFUR 88.7 has been interviewing

many of the candidates of both ridings in Prince George, Cariboo - Prince George, and Prince George - Northern Rockies — Peace River. All the interviews are being aired on CFUR 88.7 and are available on Mixcloud channel called Student Talks. You can also follow the election and listen to other interviews that are yet to be released on the Facebook page, Student Talks, CFUR 88.7.

Mr. Derrick is a 22-year resident of Prince George who owns Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory and Spa of the North.

He is running in the Cariboo - Prince George riding for

the New Democratic Party. The NDP are polling alongside with the Liberals and the Conservatives, in a three-way tie. Trent though has been favoured by many people to win the Cariboo - Prince George riding, due to the historic trends

of voting for the NDP for this riding, and want for change.

We spoke about a variety of issues on the NDP platform from a $15 minimum wage to conservation of the environment. On the issue of the a $15 minimum wage Trent told us that

if the NDP were elected then this increase would apply to

all federally regulated businesses such as banks and parks.

It would not reach all Canadians, but he is hopeful that by working with the provinces over time they would all reach

the same level as well. He believes that by bringing the provinces to the table, it will help bring even the most fiscally conservative government around on the $15 minimum wage.

I asked Derrick about the NDP’s plan to raise corporate taxes to pre-Harper rates, a major part of the platform. He is confident that a raise to these rates would not make Canadian firms less competitive in a global market. Which has been a concern of many people who live in towns that are dependent on a major industry. With companies like Canfor already being hurt by wood prices and beetle kill wood, a tax hike has many votes worried. With a large amount of the workforce in Canada working in small business, the NDP hope that a cut to their tax rates for them and this will help bolster the economy and create jobs. This offset is a move away from major corporations and to a more community based approach.

A big shift in manufacturing in North America has been

to relocate operations to lower labour markets such as Mexico, it has made it hard to keep jobs in Canada. The

NDP, and Derrick believe, that a kick-start to this sector

is in order. They feel that a kick-start will help smaller

to medium sized firms become more competitive in the global market. I asked him what prevents more firms from relocating to other countries like Mexico; Derrick responded by saying that Canadian firms treat their employees well

myprincegeorge.ca

with benefits and decent pay, and that the firms have a strong community connection and this will help prevent a loss of jobs because it means we make a better product.

The environment was a major focus in all of the interviews and one of the main things we asked the candidates about what resource development, pipelines and climate change. The NDP is not opposed to resource development however they would like to see it done in a responsible and safe way. The same goes with their stance on pipeline they do not oppose all pipelines only the ones that are dangerous and the companies do not have a good safety record.

One of the final topics we talked about was education. I asked Derrick about the federal involvement in education and the reduction in student debt. The NDP wants to address this issue, though their was no clear plan was spoken of by Derrick but he does have a willingness to move forward if elected. The NDP wants to work with stakeholder groups such as student groups and universities in order to help fix this problem. He wants us to be innovative on this issue and find new ways to address this problem and possibly fund education. It is hard to say after my interview with Derrick too much about him personally but her certainly wants to drive home the ideas laid out in the NDP platform.