Infrastructure and jobs were two major items of discussion at Tuesday's all candidates debate hosted by the Sarnia-Lambton Chamber of Commerce and Seaway Kiwanis.
All parties were in agreement that the support of local infrastructure and the creation of jobs would help Sarnia-Lambton reverse the population decline it's currently facing.
Candidate Marilyn Gladu says the Conservative party has the largest infrastructure funding Canada has ever had.
"$15-million for the Sarnia sewer system, $7-million for Petrolia's waste water treatment, $7-million for various roads in Lambton County and numerous other initiatives like the trails," says Gladu "We've also committed $200-million for rural wireless broadband."
Meanwhile, NDP hopeful Jason McMichael says Sarnia has needs unique to the community.
"We've got $18-billion committed," says McMichael. "We're going to spend that money on everything from roads to sewers, core infrastructure, broadband, and we're going to spend that money while maintaining a balanced budget."
Liberal candidate Dave McPhail says the infrastructure they are going to put in place, "is going to create jobs for middle-class" and help others get into the middle-class. Peter Smith of the Green Party says they will take the equivalent of one per cent of GST (about $6.4-billion per year) to support infrastructure projects.
All parties had also stated their support for upgrading and refining oil resources locally, noting the growth of jobs those projects would also supply.
Approximately 50 members of the public gathered Tuesday at the Sarnia Golf & Curling Club for lunch and the candidates debate.
Two more debates are scheduled for this week. On Thursday, Lambton College's "Calling All Candidates" debate begins at 11:30am, followed by the debate hosted by the Sarnia & District Labour Council at the Sarnia Library 7pm.
The federal election is scheduled for October 19. CHOK will have full coverage of the evening’s polling results.
