NDP candidates vying to be the next leader of the party on P.E.I. had a chance to square off on important issues during a leadership debate in Montague Friday night.
Susan MacVittie, Margaret Andrade and Joe Byrne had between one and two minutes to answer the questions posed by moderator Rosalind Waters.
Questions covered the privatization of services (Medavie Health Services), jobs, three rivers amalgamation, sustainable agriculture and key differences between the NDP and Green Party.
Percy Thurber of Montague was one of approximately 35 people to attend the debate at the Montague Rotary Library.
He raised concerns about overtime hours for part-time seasonal workers.
“The Island standard here for part-time seasonal workers, the current standard is overtime after 55 hours and full-time workers is 48 hours,” said Thurber.
Thurber felt they did a good job responding to his question but feels the answer that resonated with him the most came from Andrade.
“She seemed to be on page one,” said Thurber.
One question where the candidates had differing opinions was related to jobs.
Waters asked, “what policies do you think should be pursued to increase the number of decent full-time jobs for Islanders?”
MacVittie said it’s about attracting new jobs, including ones in the tech industry and renewable energy.
“I think we need to have more economically viable jobs here for our young people to stay so they don’t have to move away like I did,” said MacVittie. “I think we want to create an economy that enhances a quality of life for all Islanders.”
She also feels it’s about keeping the good jobs that already exist on P.E.I.
Byrne said the first thing that has to be done is to up the minimum wage to $15.
“There is no such thing as a job that is not worthwhile doing. We don’t have to like every job, but a job that is worthwhile doing should at least be well paid.”
He feels workers have the right to organize and to demand fair wages, working conditions and reasonable benefits.
Andrade said she feels major changes need to be made to the labour code, including the six-month probation rule as well as working conditions.
“What we need to do is bring in better conditions,” said Andrade.
She spoke about her own personal experience about being diabetic and not getting a break during an eight-hour shift.
“I find that really unacceptable and I’m not the only person in that kind of position,” she said.
The next leadership debate will be held at the Loyalist Lakeview Resort in Summerside March 29.
The NDP leadership convention will be held April 7 at the Murphy Community Centre in Charlottetown.
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