The Green Party may have a challenge to form the next government in Prince Edward Island but that doesn't mean its policies won't be adopted into law.
During an all-candidates debate sponsored by the P.E.I. Federation of Labour, Premier Robert Ghiz says he likes some of the tax policies suggested by the Green Party and he wants to take a closer look at what the party is proposing if he's elected Oct. 3.
"We do need to relook at our tax system," Ghiz said.
"I like the idea of taking taxes off things that promote health, whether it's sporting equipment, vitamins, bicycles. I also like her idea that if you make under $20,000 a year, you don't pay tax.
"Those are some of the things I'd like to explore. I'm not making any promises."
During the debate, Labchuk went a step further. She criticized PC Leader Olive Crane for her suggestion of an across the board cut in the PST.
The Green Party leader suggested the province should hike taxes on products that are not environmentally-friendly, such as pesticides.
Meanwhile, the province should cut taxes on products and services that promote health and the environment, Labchuk added.
"Things like vitamins, sports equipment, certain kinds of health foods and medicines," said Labchuk.
"It's a very basic concept, you tax the bad things."
The two hour debate covered a host a labour issues from the Canada Pension Plan to minimum wage to protecting the public service.
Bill McKinnon of CUPE says he's concerned about the leaders' responses on CETA, the Comprehensive Economic Trade Agreement.
Canada and the European Union have completed the eighth round of negotiations toward a Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement. Canada hopes to have the agreement signed by 2012.
Leaders suggested more debate is needed but conceded it will be Ottawa - not the provinces - that will have the final say if an agreement is signed.
"There are real serious problems for average Islanders in that agreement and everyone's eyes glaze over when you talk about it," said McKinnon.
Tony Tracy, Atlantic regional representative for the Canadian Labour Congress, said he's disappointed there were not more hard commitments for a province that has among the lowest labour standards and minimum wages in the country.
"We didn't hear a lot of hard commitments in terms of increasing the labour standards, minimum wages and so forth but certainly we're left with an opening to go in on Oct. 4, after the election, and have further discussions," said Tracy.
Vaughan Davies of the Public Service Alliance of Canada touched off the most debate over his suggestion that the minimum wage should be increased to $17.10 per hour over the next five years.
P.E.I.'s minimum wage is now at $9.30 per hour. It will increase to $9.60 on Oct. 1.
"We feel that Prince Edward Island's increase to a living wage will greatly assist folks to provide the necessities for their families," he said.
"As far as the costs to business, if you do not pay one way you still have to pay another way through social programs and food banks."
Island Party Leader Billy Cann described the increase as "feasible."
PC Leader Olive Crane said she doesn't make commitments she knows she can't keep.
NDP Leader James Rodd said the minimum wage should be at $11.45 now, but did not commit to increasing the minimum wage to $17.10.
Labchuk pitched the idea of a guaranteed livable income, which she described as a bold idea but one worth pursuing.
Ghiz said: "I'd like to create an economy where the private sector is going to have to pay $20 per hour on their own."
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Here is a good suggestion for Ghiz. Publish the PNP recipient list!!!! Beats knee jerkedly aping Green Party promises that could cost us millions upon millions of dollars.