The North Delta Reporter sent all seven candidates hoping to represent Delta in Parliament five questions to gauge their positions on some of the big issues for Deltans in the 2019 federal election. We gave candidates a limit of 900 words total to answer. Here’s what People’s Party candidate Angelina Ireland had to say…
(Note, the candidates’ answers have been edited for length, clarity and to conform with Canadian Press style, as required.)
1) What is you/you party’s plan to combat climate change and safeguard the environment for future generations?
The climate changes and will always change. Ten thousand years ago, where we live now was covered in ice and glaciers. For political leaders to tell people they can halt Mother Nature is disingenuous. The earth has been far warmer in the planet’s history than it is now, for example the Medieval Warming Period, and the entire 1930s decade. Human and animal life survived, adapted and flourished.
We will need mitigation strategies to deal with specific things that our community will be faced with. We need to shift our concern about carbon dioxide to concerns about conservation of our habitats and combating true toxic chemical pollution. We need to protect our water and our air. The federal government needs to be a partner with other levels of government here in Delta to provide funding and expertise. We are all in this together and only by working together will we come up with successful strategies.
2) How do you/your party plan to make homes in Delta more affordable for new buyers as well as increase the number of available rental units in the community?
The only thing that keeps price levels down is supply. We need to increase supply and therefore create a massive “build out” in Delta. Lucky for us, we have many quality home builders in Delta that will be able to answer the call. Housing is a provincial responsibility; for the federal government to take over and direct things from Ottawa would be a violation of our Constitution. The province working with the municipality to provide more land to build on, and the approval of building permits is the beginning. The federal government can enforce money laundering laws and foreign ownership rules to ensure the housing costs of the new supply is not inflated.
3) How would you/your party reduce the tax burden for Delta families?
We believe in a flat tax. No boutique tax credits that end up not amounting to much, and no tax loopholes that people can get their tax lawyers to manipulate to pay nothing. We will simplify the tax process so that everyone can fill out their own tax return simply and easily. People will pay a 15 per cent flat tax with an exemption for the first $15,000 earned. If a person earns over $100,000, the flat tax is 25 per cent over and above.
4) What will you/your party do to support the growing number of seniors in our community?
The OAS, CPP and GIS are not enough for most seniors to be able to live on in our community. After a lifetime of working to build this country, raising children and helping to raise grandchildren, the government has insulted and abandoned our seniors. Our priorities as a country need to be re-examined. Why are we spending billions of dollars on corporate welfare? Why are we sending billions of dollars abroad to build roads in Asia, fight climate change in Africa and fund “foundations” in undemocratic countries? We need to bring this money back to our citizens and take care of our own first. We do not need to open another department in Ottawa, staffed with employees — with full benefits and pensions paid for by the taxpayer — to address this. Put more money in seniors’ pockets and they will manage the rest.
5) Many Deltans are concerned about the shootings and other gang-related violence happening across the Lower Mainland. How will you/your party help reduce violent crime and keep law-abiding folks safe?
Any government’s greatest responsibility is the security of its citizens, and our Canadian government completely betrayed us. The Criminal Code is the responsibility of the federal government and Bill C-75, an act to amend the Criminal Code, was the Trudeau Liberals’ recent soft-on-crime bill. It made criminal punishment less severe for over 100 serious crimes — less punishment for terrorism, criminal acts against children and gang crime. The Liberals have allowed people to cross into Canada illegally, outside of the official ports of entry, and instructed the RCMP to help them with their luggage! We have no way of knowing if these people hold criminal records or are international terrorists.
As your member of Parliament, I will fight everyday for stronger laws to safeguard our families. Additionally, I will support increased funding for local police forces, border security agents and the RCMP. Our law enforcement agencies deserve our greatest respect, support and funding as they are the “thin blue line” that protects our entire society from criminal degeneracy.
The federal election takes place on Monday, Oct. 21.
Click here to read the other candidates’ answers.
READ MORE: Meet your candidates for Delta MP
editor@northdeltareporter.com
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