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York-Simcoe byelection debate in 12 quotes

Six candidates answered questions — some in rhyme — at an event in Bradford West Gwillimbury ahead of the Feb. 25 federal byelection
2019-02-14-york-simcoe byelection debate
Six of the York-Simcoe federal byelection candidates take part in a debate in Bradford West Gwillimbury Feb. 13. Jenni Dunning/BradfordToday

Six of the candidates in the upcoming York-Simcoe federal byelection had plenty to say during a Meet the Candidates debate hosted by the Bradford Board of Trade Wednesday evening.

Here are some of the highlights.

“Peter Van Loan was elected in 2015 to hold his place for four years. If he had held on for another couple of months, we wouldn’t be in this position.” — Shaun Tanaka, Liberal

“There is no left, there is no right. There’s only the haves and the have-nots. The solution is to send a lightning bolt to Ottawa. We’re not just taxable drones.” — Robert Geurts, People’s Party of Canada

“We’re lacking some serious leadership in this room and in government.” — Jessa McLean, NDP

“I’m the smartest man on Earth, and these people aren’t on the same side of the bell curve.” — John Turmel, Independent, referring to the other candidates

“There’s small business people holding on by their fingernails.” — Scot Davidson, Progressive Conservatives

“To Scot, who has said they’re saying our climate change plan is coming, I’ll believe that when I get to see Donald Trump’s taxes as well. If you need help drafting your legislation, I got a book for you: Global Warming for Dummies.” — Matt Lund, Green Party

“It was the Liberal government who stood up to (U.S. President Donald) Trump when he tried to flood our market with an inferior product.” — Shaun Tanaka, Liberal, referring to North American Free Trade Agreement discussions

“Is the CRTC really now progressive, or is it a dinosaur from the past that needs to be maybe put out to rest?” — Robert Geurts, People’s Party of Canada

“We want to skate where the puck is going, and that’s moving toward a clean energy environment.” — Matt Lund, Green Party

“It’s very important to me infrastructure dollars come into York-Simcoe. At the end of the day, those are your tax dollars.” — Scot Davidson, Progressive Conservatives

“Shaun (Tanaka) respectively implied that protesting the government is somehow a bad thing. Let me remind you that protesting our government is how we women obtained the vote and made it possible to run for this office right here. Let your vote be a protest this time.” — Jessa McLean, NDP

“All governments must borrow now, new funds from private banks
And raise new tax to pay the interest, with bankers’ thanks
But worse, in 1968, Pierre lifted the cap
On interest from six per cent to 60, that’s the rap
In 12 years, central bank rate rose to 22 per cent — remember that?
More tax to service greater debt at higher rates was spent
So, Oh Canada, Pierre Trudeau is responsible for debts out of control
By lifting rate cap and ending interest-free loans, his role
Oh Canada, sure could have offered all the living swell
But Pierre, in 1974, turned Canada from heaven into hell”
— John Turmel, Independent, during a section of his opening statement