By Angie Sullivan

There wasn’t an empty seat at The Link in Sutton for the York-Durham All-Candidates Debate on Wednesday, April 16.

Our five candidates addressed an engaged crowd while talking about hot topics like Trump’s tariffs, immigration, affordable housing, crime, local business, and climate change. 

Rob Grossi, the Liberal Party candidate, summed up the collective sentiment and said, “This is the most important election of our lifetime.” 

Georgina Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Jennifer Anderson, opened the debate with, “Democracy is strongest when it is rooted in respect.” She said, “At the end of the day, we all want what’s best for this country, and we just have different ideas about how to get there.” 

President and CEO of the Central York Chamber of Commerce, Chris Emanuel, moderated the debate and presented the questions submitted by the public.

The Conservative Party candidate Jacob Mantle said his party would “continue the tradition of tenacious advocacy on the issues that matter. Whether that is a national issue like affordability or local issues like Lake Simcoe and the Baldwin aerodrome.” 

Matt Pearce, Green Party, introduced himself and said, “I’m absolutely the underdog here; let’s not forget that.” Pearce said his party proposes “no income tax on your first $40,000 earned.” 

Justin Graham from the New Democratic Party said, “The NDP and myself will be there to stand up for you and your families.” 

Patricia Conlin from the Peoples Party said, “Enough is enough; it’s time for new leadership in Ottawa.” 

Canadian nationalism rang strong when Emanuel asked, “What do you feel is the best course of action Canada can take in regard to tariffs?” 

“Canada will never be the 51st State; I reject that entirely.” Mantle said. “Unleash our natural resources, build pipelines, get our resources to market.” 

Graham said, “The government needs to resist cutting staff and supports for Canadians.”

Conlin said, “We’ve been sold out with the free trade deal that de-industrialized our country. I want to bring industry back home.” 

Pearce said, “Ripping and shipping, pumping crude oil East to West, is not going to solve this problem.” 

“We need to fight back!” Grossi said, “We have to retaliate in whatever way we can.” 


JACOB MANTLE (CPC), MATT PEARCE (GREEN), PATRICIA CONLON (PPC), JUSTIN GRAHAM (NDP), ROB GROSSI (LIBERAL)

Issues that ignited strong reactions from spectators included affordable housing, the growing problem of crime in Georgina, and the health of Lake Simcoe. 

Wilma Bunnik sat in the front row and said, “Sometimes one votes for the person who can do the most for the riding; sometimes one votes for the party platform and its leader. For me, this is a Win-Win election.” 

Karen Wolfe, founder of the Georgina Post and host at Rogers tv Georgina, said, “I was happy to see all candidates attending the debate, and while it may not have changed the vote in the minds of decided voters, it may have helped the undecided make an informed decision.” 

You can watch the debate on Youtube.

You can also watch Karen Wolfe’s coverage of the election on Rogers tv Georgina after the polls close on voting day on Monday, April 28. 

Mike Anderson
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