South Shore-St. Margaret’s candidates spar over housing, affordability

Four federal candidates for South Shore–St. Margaret’s took the stage at the Best Western in Cookville for a public forum organized by the Bridgewater & Area Chamber of Commerce. The night offered voters a chance to hear where each contender stands on major national and local issues.

Four of the five candidates running participated including:

• Rick Perkins, Conservative Party of Canada (incumbent)

• Jessica Fancy-Landry, Liberal Party of Canada

• Mark Embrett, Green Party of Canada

• Patrick Shea Boyd, People’s Party of Canada

Independent candidate Hayden Henderson was also invited to participate but declined.

Affordability, cost of living and taxes

Affordability emerged early as the defining theme of the night, with all four candidates acknowledging the pressure high prices are putting on working families and seniors.

Jessica Fancy-Landry said the Liberal plan includes expanding the Canada Dental Benefit, providing more support for child care and continuing carbon rebates, which she argued are helping many Canadians make ends meet. She said middle-class tax cuts would also put money directly back into households.

“I’m running to make life more affordable by supporting middle-class tax cuts and expanding key social programs,” she said.

Rick Perkins pointed to inflation as a consequence of what he called out-of-control government spending. He said a Conservative government would bring an end to deficit-driven policies, lower the cost of living by cutting taxes, and remove the GST on new home builds under $1.3 million.

“We wouldn’t keep printing money, because that ultimately leads to inflation. It drives up the cost of living and that’s why we have a cost-of-living crisis,” he said.

Mark Embrett of the Green Party said affordability challenges are tied to economic inequality. He pitched the Greens’ plan to eliminate income tax on the first $40,000 and increase taxes on corporations and the wealthy.

Patrick Shea Boyd of the People’s Party emphasized what he called the consequences of “globalist” economic policies, criticizing both Liberal and Conservative spending and proposing a complete end to carbon pricing and foreign aid.

Housing

When it came to housing, all candidates supported increasing supply, but differed on how.

Perkins said the Conservatives would work with Indigenous financial institutions and create an Indigenous Opportunities Corporation to help build housing and infrastructure with local decision-making. He criticized programs that treat Canadians differently based on identity categories.

Fancy-Landry said the Liberal plan would double housing construction over five years, invest in Indigenous-led housing, and cut red tape to speed up development. She highlighted the Build Canada initiative to bring the federal government back into the business of building homes.

Embrett said the Greens would focus on funding non-market housing and cooperatives in rural and Indigenous communities.

Shea Boyd said the housing crisis is driven in part by high immigration levels that aren’t matched by construction rates.

Immigration

Immigration prompted one of the sharper divides of the evening.

Shea Boyd said immigration levels were unsustainable and hurting working-class Canadians. He criticized the number of temporary foreign workers and international students allowed into the country, suggesting Canada was “replacing” its population with newcomers.

Fancy-Landry pushed back against that framing and said immigration is vital to Canada’s economy, particularly in healthcare.

“We need to be smart and strategic. Immigration is foundational to Canada’s fabric,” she said.

Perkins acknowledged immigration is needed to address demographic challenges but said current levels are overwhelming housing, healthcare, and other services.

Climate policy

Candidates also split on how Canada should tackle climate change.

Fancy-Landry said the Liberals would maintain and expand programs like the carbon rebate, invest in clean tech, and ensure polluters pay more.

Perkins said the Conservatives would use investment tax credits and capital cost allowances instead of consumer-based carbon pricing. He also promoted Canadian natural gas exports as a way to help reduce global emissions.

Embrett called for an end to fossil fuel subsidies, no new fossil fuel projects, and major investments in shoreline resilience.

Shea Boyd outright denied that carbon dioxide is a problem and called for the full dismantling of what he termed “climate alarmist” policies.

CBC and media trust

An audience question about the CBC revealed further party differences.

Perkins said the CBC should function like PBS in the U.S., raising its own money without federal subsidies. He argued the network’s low viewership reflects a lack of relevance.

Fancy-Landry and Embrett voiced support for maintaining or enhancing public broadcasting, especially in rural communities.

Closing statements

Each candidate closed with a two-minute pitch.

Perkins highlighted his record as MP and said his experience in business and government made him best equipped to advocate for South Shore–St. Margaret’s.

Fancy-Landry emphasized her deep local roots and work in education and non-profits. She said she would prioritize affordability and collaboration.

Shea Boyd focused on being the only candidate not aligned with what he called the “globalist” establishment, and said the People’s Party would bring honesty and simplicity to Ottawa.

Embrett called for a shift away from politics as usual and said a vote for the Green Party was a vote for environmental and community-first policies.

The full candidates forum is still available to watch online via the Bridgewater & Area Chamber of Commerce.