Sparks were flying in the final all-candidates forum of the campaign in the Kenora Riding.
Conservative Candidate Greg Rickford and Liberal candidate Bob Nault traded barbs several times during Wednesday’s three hour forum in Kenora.
Rickford accused Nault of bailing on the natural gas pipeline project to Red Lake when he was in government.
Rickford says local residents were led to believe that Nault and his government would support the project.
The incumbent notes that’s why he made the project the number one priority when he became MP.
For his part, Nault raised the prospect of the Liberals reviving an east/west electricity corridor for northwestern Ontario.
Nault says his party will look at a Manitoba solution to energy needs which was promoted in the 90’s and then turned down.
He notes if that’s the best solution, the government should be involved financially.
NDP candidate Howard Hampton disagreed saying any hydro corridor should be going north.
Hampton says the move would result in more jobs for local communities.
He adds a northern corridor would be beneficial for the regional economy.
The issue of twinning the Trans-Canada Highway and health care also took centre stage.
All of the candidates agreed a four lane highway from Kenora to the Manitoba boundary has to get done sooner rather than later.
Howard Hampton feels the federal government needs to sort out issues with Shoal Lake before the project can proceed.
He questioned the Conservatives why they haven’t proceeded with talks with the First Nation so the twinning can become a reality.
Bob Nault agreed, noting the government has dropped the ball.
He stresses Greg Rickford promised to look after the portfolio but has done little to move the project forward.
Rickford countered he’s been in constant contact with the First Nation and the government and is confident work will begin soon.
He adds he has a strong working relationship with Ontario Minister of Northern Development and Mines Michael Gravelle and notes it’s a complex issue.
Rickford says it was his government that provided funding for the twinning of Highway 17.
On the health care front, the candidates talked about the need for a new hospital in Kenora.
Bob Nault says his party got a new hospital built in Sioux Lookout.
Nault notes the government can’t turn it’s back on health care needs in the region.
Greg Rickford says he hasn’t been approached by officials in Kenora or the province for funding for a new hospital, but stresses if a request was made, the government would look at a similar model that was used when building the Meno-Ya-Win Health Centre.
However, NDP candidate Howard Hampton says until the federal government restores funding for health care services, the province has no incentive to build a new hospital.
Green Party Candidate Ember McKillop and Independent candidate Kelvin Chicago Boucher also attended last night’s forum.
