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4- The Oakville Beaver, Friday October 5, 2007 www.oakvillebeaver.com Oakville candidates split over referendum issue By Melanie Cummings SPECIAL TO THE BEAVER Voters in Oakville seem as divided in casting their ballots for a Liberal or Progressive Conservative MPP, as they are on the referendum issue. Rousing applause in an all-candidates debate hosted by the Oakville Chamber of Commerce Wednesday night was mainly reserved for replies given by the Liberal incumbent Kevin Flynn and his main contender Rick Byers of the Conservatives. Cheers also erupted from the crowd of about 250 when each of the four candidates publicly explained their respective `yes' and `no' decisions on the Mixed Member Proportion system. Green Party candidate Marion Schaffer is in favour of introducing MMP because she says it would end the trend of giving all the power to a party that earns a minority of the popular vote. "It's a more democratic system used by 100 countries around the world already," said Schaffer. Flynn, who is running under the Liberal banner, said that his party and the Conservatives have the most to lose from MMP. But he's in support anyway, choosing to give credence to the Citizen's Assembly that studied and recommended the change in voter representation. "They talked to Ontarians for three months, looked into it over nine months and 96 of the 103 people on the committee decided this is the way to go," said Flynn. Byers, of the PCs, is in favour of the current first-past-the-post system. Under MMP, each political party chooses representatives from a list of candidates that must be compiled and published in advance of an election. "Elected representatives are held accountable to their constituents, but list people are only accountable to their party," said Byers. Tony Crawford, the riding's NDP candidate, would not state which way he would vote on the referendum, but said he would encourage more women to run for political office by setting up an affirmative action fund and providing childcare. He also wants to see the Legislative Assembly elect the first female Speaker of the House next term. Crawford said the he himself "had no interest in politics" before this election. His campaign is more focused on getting signatures for a petition to outlaw identity theft, to which he fell vic- Here's why the outdoors are so great. tim and then wrote two books on the subject. "A vote for me will be a mandate to outlaw identify theft," said Crawford. It was only three weeks ago that Green Party candidate Schaffer entered the local race and political life. But the retired teacher and minister is adamant about the party's platform to clean up the planet. "Every vote gives the Green Party money to do even more to capitalize on innovative thinking. The Greens are miles ahead of the other parties," she added. Flynn wasted no time at the outset of the debate to lambaste former Conservative Premiere Ernie Eves for "lying" to Ontarians about a $5.6 billion debt, which the Liberals inherited when they took office in 2003. While he touted his party record in graduating 86,000 more high school students, reducing electricity generated from coal fired plants by 33 per cent and freezing property taxes, Flynn said there is still a long way to go. Byers fired back saying the Liberals have siphoned millions from local taxpayers and given it to other communities and cricket clubs. He wants "catch up funding for the 905 area" to invest in local roads, bridges, transit and OakvilleTrafalgar Memorial Hospital. Local voters can weigh in on this debate over the weekend. Cable station Cogeco taped the Oct. 3 all-candidates meeting held at Glenn Abbey United Church. It airs Saturday Oct. 6 at 1 p.m. and Oct. 7 at 9 p.m. Your business no longer reflects the g product or service you sell? Time to Call: Complete Design Plus p g For a free in home estimate 905-617-265 905-617-2652 05-617-2652 Think Green. Be Cool. Breathe Easy. HUGE CENTRAL AIR & FURNACE $ Up to BEST PRICES EVER! SALE 4700 AND * Cash Back UP TO $2400 GOV. CASH BACK UP TO $1500 MANUFACTURERS CASH BACK + NO PAYMENT! NO INTEREST! FOR 6 MONTHS *OAC 1200 Men's and Women's Lightweight Athletic Hiking Boot · GORE-TEX XCR fabric offers advanced waterproof protection and durability. · Rock StopTM embedded into forefoot provides protection from sharp rocks and debris. · ABZORB® SBS in heel and forefoot offers superior shock absorption. ® ® UP TO $800 HYDRO CASH BACK *Call for details. Financing Available + 5 Oakville . W E. Q. 9 LE IDD ER M AST UPPROAD E The largest selection of New Balance apparel, accessories and footwear in multiple widths. 8 403 TH TH E LIN E LIN Upper Middle Rd E & 8th Line 905.337.9393 www.newbalanceoakville.ca 8 Locations To Serve You Better! 905-849-4998 www.aireone.com 1-888-827-2665