Cornwall-Meadowbank candidates debate affordability, health care and future of APM Centre
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The three are candidates in the Cornwall-Meadowbank byelection which will take place Monday, July 13. Photo by Stu Neatby/The GuardianCandidates for the job of the next MLA for Cornwall-Meadowbank offered policy fixes but made few jabs at one another during a debate at the Cornwall Civic Centre on Thursday. Subscribe now to access this story and more:Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsSubscribe or sign in to your account to continue your reading experience. Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsCreate an account or sign in to continue your reading experience. Access additional stories every monthShare your thoughts and join the conversation in our commenting communityGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorProgressive Conservative candidate Caley McDonald, Liberal candidate Robert Mitchell and Green candidate Tayte Willows offered their solutions on a range of issues including health-care access, affordability and local business growth in the Cornwall area. The debate was attended by more than 170 residents, according to organizers with the Greater Charlottetown Area Chamber of Commerce and the Community Sector Network of P. E. I. The first question of the evening, read by moderator Bianca McGregor, asked candidates to explain how, if elected, they will help restore confidence in the Island’s health-care system. Robert Mitchell, the leader of the Liberal Party of P. E. I. and a former minister of health, said he believes the focus of health care should be on the patient instead of bureaucracy. Liberal candidate Robert Mitchell speaks at an all-candidates debate at the Cornwall Civic Centre on July 9. A byelection will take place in Cornwall-Meadowbank on July 13. Photo by Stu Neatby/The GuardianHe said he would push for a comprehensive recruitment plan for doctors, nurses and allied health staff and would expand access to team-based care. “In the year that I was minister of health, I was able to recruit 30 doctors to Prince Edward Island. And we did that by offering potential recruits the best possible start by supporting them, and also their families at the same time,” Mitchell said. Willows, who currently works as a manager of chronic disease prevention at Health P. E. I. , said past PC and Liberal governments have increasingly thrown more dollars at the system without improving wait times or numbers on the patient registry. She said the problem with the system lies in political interference in health care. “We need to let professionals make decisions for the things that they are experts in. And when we start listening, they give us suggestions that could really transform the way we approach health care,” Willows said. Green Party candidate Tayte Willows speaks at an all-candidates debate at the Cornwall Civic Centre on July 9. A byelection will take place July 13 in Cornwall-Meadowbank. Photo by Stu Neatby/The GuardianMcDonald, a registered massage therapist, said the governing Progressive Conservatives have made progress in recruiting health professionals and establishing collaborative medical homes. But she said she would like to see the scopes of practice expanded for health workers. “We’ve already seen how that can improve, whether it’s with physiotherapists ordering X-rays for appropriate patients or pharmacists doing assessments or treatments through the pharmacy plus program,” McDonald said. Craig Nash, the New Democratic Party candidate in Cornwall-Meadowbank, was not present at the debate. A statement sent by his party later in the evening stated that Nash had suffered a heart attack earlier in the day and was admitted to hospital. “Pending medical advice, Craig will most likely require time for convalescence, so although he will not be actively campaigning until past Election Day, July 13, Craig Nash wishes residents of Cornwall-Meadowbank all the best in their byelection voting choices” read the statement, sent by Herb Dickieson, Nash’s campaign manager. Due to health issues, NDP candidate Craig Nash was unable to attend the debate on July 9. ContributedCandidates were asked about what they would do to address affordability challenges. McGregor, the moderator, also asked if they would index the province’s tax brackets to inflation so a worker’s raises wouldn’t be lost due to being in a higher tax bracket. Mitchell committed to indexing the province’s tax brackets to inflation to avoid Islanders being hit with “a hidden tax increase. ”McDonald said that investing in local services in Cornwall addresses affordability challenges because it means residents do not have to drive to Charlottetown. “When government invests in things like the new Access P. E. I. office here or the Cornwall medical clinic, we’re able to access those everyday services right here in Cornwall. That not only saves our residents time but it also saves us money,” McDonald said. Progressive Conservative candidate Caley McDonald speaks at an all-candidates debate in Cornwall-Meadowbank on July 9. A byelection will take place July 13. Photo by Stu Neatby/The GuardianWillows said Green MLAs have attempted to introduce legislation that would address affordability issues, including a bill that would remove taxes on used car sales and another that would limit Maritime Electric’s ability to impose “price hikes” on utility bills. Both were voted down by the governing PCs. She said government often claims that it cannot act on many affordability issues, including the price of electricity, because it is governed by the Island Regulatory and Appeals Commission (IRAC). She said IRAC has been filled with “patronage positions” and that Islanders have lost trust in the regulator. “And so that’s why as a party we continue to push and advocate that IRAC should be dismantled, that we need a fresh start so that Islanders can trust these groups, that regulate their prices, have their best interests in mind,” Willows said. All three candidates pledged that they would advocate for the expansion of the APM Centre in Cornwall. The three candidates also agreed that cellphone service and transit services must be improved. The Cornwall-Meadowbank byelection was called following the March 17 death of former MLA and health ministerMark McLane. Voters go the polls on Monday, July 13. Stay informed:Don’t miss the news you need to know. Sign up for our newsletter today. Stu Neatby is a political reporter for The Guardian in Prince Edward Island. He can be reached atsneatby@postmedia. comand followed on X@stu_neatby. This website uses cookies to personalize your content (including ads), and allows us to analyze our traffic. Read more aboutcookies here. By continuing to use our site, you agree to ourTerms of UseandPrivacy Policy.