H-L&A-T Candidates (L-R) NDP, Green, Conservative, Liberal, and PPC
Federal candidates hoping to represent Hastings–Lennox and Addington–Tyendinaga pitched their visions to local voters at a packed meet-and-greet Tuesday night at the Selby Community Hall.
All five candidates on the ballot attended the event hosted by the Lennox and Addington Chamber of Commerce. They are Ava Duffy (NDP), Mike Holbrook (Green), incumbent Shelby Kramp-Neuman (Conservative), Tracey Sweeney Schenk (Liberal), and Zaid Yusufani (People’s Party of Canada).
The night opened with questions about mental healthcare. Duffy said the NDP will fight for access to mental health programs, pointing to their history of pushing for pharmacare and dental care. Holbrook said universal healthcare must include mental health. Kramp-Neuman stressed that public healthcare is a right and won’t be privatized under the Conservatives. Sweeney Schenk said the Liberal dental care program is a step forward. Yusufani said funding is not the only solution and stressed the need to address root causes like stress and cost of living.
Candidates also shared views on government spending. Holbrook said Canada isn’t broke and needs to tax the rich fairly. Kramp-Neuman said wasteful spending has ballooned the debt and called for reallocating resources. Sweeney Schenk defended COVID-19 spending as necessary. Yusufani proposed cutting $12 billion in foreign aid to build hospitals. Duffy said the NDP would tax billionaires and close loopholes.
Carbon pricing was a hot topic. Duffy said the NDP has no plan to bring back the carbon tax on individuals. Holbrook said the Greens support strong action and aim to phase out carbon fuels by 2045. Kramp-Neuman promised to cancel the tax for good. Sweeney Schenk called it a failed experiment. Yusufani rejected climate crisis claims entirely, saying Canada’s emissions are too small to matter.
In closing remarks, candidates stressed affordability, access to healthcare, and rebuilding trust in politics.
Election day is April 28. Advance polls will run April 18 to 21 at Napanee’s Best and Bash Arena from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
You can rewatch the full event on myFM’s Facebook page.
Written by Emily Chatwood
