Oct 03, 2008 - 04:02 PM

By Jeff Hayward

BROCK -- Offsetting high gas prices, cleaning up the environment and helping the agricultural sector are big on the minds of Brock voters, say the federal election party candidates on the campaign trail in the riding.

And the Haliburton-Kawartha Lakes-Brock candidates say their parties have an effective way to approach the concerns.

Michael Bell of the Green Party said technology has been developed to drastically reduce fuel consumption by vehicles but "no one is taking the leap... (manufacturers) are shut out of the marketplace because of the pressure of oil." He said government subsidies to bail out auto makers are not part of the Green plan. "Maybe rewarding (manufacturers) if they built cars that make sense," he said. "We have a resource-oriented economy; where will that leave us?"

Marlene White of the Liberal Party said, "We are the only party that is going to help Canadians with oil and gas (prices)." She said tax cuts for the "working and middle class" will help offset oil and gas costs. She also said developing alternate sources of energy is a focus of her party. "That's where our future is," said Ms. White.

Barry Devolin, Conservative MP of the riding, said "there are lots of Brock workers in the auto industry, a lot of uncertainty for families." He said a solution is to work with General Motors (GM) in Oshawa to install "flexible manufacturing in the truck plant... the way forward is to work with GM for more investments and new products."

The NDP's Stephen Yardy said investments will be made by his party to encourage manufacturers to make fuel-efficient units instead of "gas-guzzling vehicles".

To directly address the environment, Mr. Yardy said the NDP is looking at a "cap and trade" system which will "make the big polluters pay" by introducing emission caps. "Any revenue (created) will be offsetting the carbon footprint." He said transit would receive funding, as an example, and the party expects $2.5 billion to be generated by the plan in the first year.

The NDP representative also wants more federal gas tax revenue to be passed along to municipalities, to benefit northern towns in particular. "No one wants to build factories up here," he said.

Mr. Devolin said a $30 million Lake Simcoe clean-up fund has already been established. "There's been issues with runoff influencing water quality," said Mr. Devolin. He said the money is available for "a large number of smaller projects" relating to the cleanup of the lake and its watershed. "There's still money available (in the fund)," he added. Also on the MP's radar is a review of the Trent-Severn waterway, that he says empties into Lake Simcoe and affects Brock citizens. The review will examine "permits and sorting ownership... We want to bring (all levels of government) together, it's difficult."

Ms. White said the Liberal Green Shift plan "is a plan praised by economists and environmentalists." Over four years, the Liberals plan to place an increasing price on emissions from fossil fuels, and offset energy costs with tax cuts. "Our plan is up front," she said.

For the farmers, Mr. Bell said his party will promote local agriculture by "pushing large grocery chains to provide more space for local produce." He said that will in turn help the environment by reducing the need for shipping food long distances.

Ms. White said the Liberals plan to introduce a "regional flexibility fund" for the "unique needs" of farmers across the country. "We've got a couple of (other) things for rural Canada; emissions reduction tax credits to reward farmers (and) rebates for farmers for purchasing technology that reduces emissions."

She added $30 million will be committed to supporting farmers markets, giving individual organizations the ability to apply for the funding. "I firmly believe Canadians want to buy local," she said.

Health care and the economy are other recurring themes heard from Brock residents. Mr. Yardy said the NDP will make "it harder to import products and easier for exports", also addressing through NAFTA that "a lot of ours jobs are going to the U.S. and Mexico."

On health care, and the doctor shortage affecting her riding, Ms. White promises $10,000 a year in student debt relief from the Liberals if a doctor chooses to practice in an underserviced rural community. She also noted the Liberals will introduce assistance for those with chronic illnesses and no drug coverage, as well as "fast-track" foreign doctors to work in Canada. "We may have to phase in some (of these) because of the U.S. (financial) troubles," she said.