On their marks

The race is on.

On Sept. 7, Prime Minister Stephen Harper visited Governor General Michaelle Jean and asked her to dissolve parliament. The federal election was then set for Oct. 14.

Three candidates have come forward to fill the Random-Burin-St. George's seat - Herb Davis for the Conservatives, Judy Foote for the Liberals, and Terry White for the New Democratic Party.

The Georgian spoke with each of the candidates and asked them the same four questions to help people better understand their point-of-view and thoughts on the riding.

Judy Foote Liberal candidate

Ms. Foote is from Grand Bank and served as MHA for the provincial district of Grand Bank from 1996 to 2007, holding cabinet posts under Brian Tobin and Roger Grimes governments. Before entering politics, she worked in journalism and public relations.

Why did you decide to run in this election?

Well, I think there's an opportunity there to improve things in the federal riding of Random-Burin-St. George's. There are a lot of issues, and of course, where the riding is so large, the issues aren't similar from one area to another - and my experience, having been involved in provincial politics for 11 years, I felt that I have a lot to offer and people are familiar with my work ethic and they know that when I set my mind to do something, I do it.

What are some of the major issues?

Well obviously there are a lot of issues in this particular riding with respect to the fishery. I know a lot of constituents or people in the riding who are involved in the fishery. There are issues around the wharves in the various communities, so obviously a program like small crafts and harbours is an invaluable program to people who are involved in the in-shore fishery.

In Stephenville, we have a major issue there with the airport. Stephenville has been known for its airport and to think that we're at a situation now where it's not being utilized to its full capacity is unspeakable and we really need to get our minds around that and do everything we possibly can to see that is once again a viable operation.

We've got a lot of issues throughout the riding. For instance, in Marystown, issues with respect to attracting industry to take advantage of the first-rate offshore facilities that are there - and working with all levels of government to make that happen.

So, there are numerous issues, and certainly issues with Marine Atlantic. That's our gateway for the province to the rest of the country and to think that we can be taken advantage of so crassly by those who make decisions at Marine Atlantic - that's something that has to be addressed as well.

Are there any changes you'd like to see in the riding?

At this point and time, what I need to do is become really familiar with the riding. I know the riding pretty well, but I think it's the people in the riding themselves who know their issues best and these are the people I want to have the opportunity to sit down and talk with; and a lot of them know my track record; a lot of them know me from provincial politics, so they know that I'm easy to approach and that I get things done. I'm counting on the people of the riding to make it their responsibility to let me know what they think and feel about issues and together, we will do everything we can to make things better for them.

How can you make a difference - or why should people vote for you?

Well, I bring a lot of experience to the table. As I said, I've been involved in elected politics for 11 years. I also have business experience. I'm a mother. I always say we need to have more women involved in politics - not that we do it better, we just do it differently. And I think it works to have a combination of men and women involved in the political scene. And just my work ethic is such that when I take on a challenge, I make sure that I do the best that I possibly can. I always make sure that I am accessible and I that I think is the key in a riding as large as Random-Burin-St. George's. People have often asked me how you can possibly do it service, well the service you deliver depends on your accessibility to the people you represent.

Terry White NDP candidate

Mr. White was born in Deer Lake and has been living in Stephenville since 1982. He's travelled the South and West coasts as a NL Housing Corp. construction inspector. He recently came out of retirement to work as a carpenter in Alberta.

Why did you decide to run in this election?

Well, I'm a senior citizen and not having enough money to live on, you know, due to the oil prices ... the basic way of life has changed desperately from $250 a month to $500 a month for oil, so that's one of the main aspects of it.

And seniors are not being treated right today. They are really discriminated against for the simple fact that a person that's up in the home across from the hospital - they get around $1,000-$1,200 a month [pension], and by the time everything is taken out, it leaves them with $75. And then, I was talking to a fellow up there who said he doesn't have enough money at the end of the month to be able to pay for taxi fares to go to church and back again. So, it's desperate for people on fixed incomes.

Hospital care is another item that I'm very serious about. We haven't enough doctors and we don't have enough nurses to treat the people, not only in Newfoundland, but across Canada.

What are some of the major issues?

Seniors. Health. Environ-ment. With the environment, we're trying to clean up the air today that we're breathing. I was up in Alberta and I know what it's like up there. I was up where my daughter is in Hamilton, and I know what the air is like up there - the smog and everything else combined with it. So, we have to try to control this.

A major issue is we haven't enough jobs in this country. Even in Newfoundland itself, you can't depend on our oil business because it's not a big labour crew taking care of it - it's just pumped in the boats and gone. Whereas, in Alberta, you have the manpower and you have the strength - half our Newfoundlanders up there, as I was this year. I spent five months up there [and] I know what it's like.

Are there any changes you'd like to see in the riding?

There are so many things, like in Marystown for instance. They are shipbuilders over there, and Harper has stopped the process of building ships in Marystown. Down on the South Coast, I don't think the fishermen are getting their fair share and also over in Port aux Basques, I think we should have a better boat system. If they can run boats from Digby to Bar Harbour, superboats, why aren't we entitled to the same opportunities? It's the same distances, the waters are the same, so why not upgrade our boat system in Port aux Basques? Also, boat prices have increased over the past year - how can we afford to go across anymore? It's getting to the point that especially seniors, can't afford to go and visit their families elsewhere.

In this area here, I hope we strike some oil. Apparantly, we haven't got it yet, so I'm hoping this will come about.

Also, the aboriginal people, I hope they will get their agreement signed and I will fight for that. And I'll work with Brendan Sheppard and whoever else ... to help aboriginal people get a fair share.

How can you make a difference; or why should people vote for you?

If they know what I stand for, and I being 70-years-old, I'm out there fighting for the people of this province. I can't gain anything if I'm not doing anything. So, I have to work for it and work for the people of the province - that's about all I can do.

Herb Davis Conservative candidate

Born in St. John's, Mr. Davis has worked in local and international business industries; worked for six years with CBC as a producer; and worked with various provincial community groups. Most recently, he served as special assistant for federal Minister Loyola Hearn.

Why did you decide to run in this election?

I guess, first of all, I come from a family where community service is what I've grown up with, what I've experienced, what I've known. My father was very involved and so was my mother. So when this opportunity came to me to seek the nomination, I did and of course, I was successful in it.

Outside of my family, it's the people of this whole region of Newfoundland that truly inspired me to take this on. People I've known when I lived on the west side of Fortune Bay; people I've got to know since I've been in this campaign ... that has certainly driven me to take this on. And there's no greater honour than to put one's name forward to serve. Many, many people have gone before us and have served in all manners of public life and military service and so on. So to put my name forward to the people of Random-Burin-St. George's is, to me, the greatest honour I've yet to have in my young life.

What are some of the major issues?

Locally here in Stephenville, of course is the airport. It's important that we look at every option for this facility, from conventional traffic to refueling capabilities, to it's ability to become a true leader in all types of aviation and safety training in the North Atlantic - not just simply Atlantic Canada but the North Atlantic and bring clients in from all over the world.

As getting the value out of fish more and more becomes a requirement, you're going to see an expansion in our ability to catch fish more efficiently and move it to market with greater prosperity.

Marine Atlantic is an issue that's both very strong here in Port aux Basques region and the entire island. One of the things I was able to be part of when I worked in Ottawa in the minister's office was to be part of the team that helped to bring the new vessel that we're going to be getting. And that's part of the whole expansion and capability I see for the Marine Atlantic service.

I have to speak to tourism because there's no area of the province, and I refer to the Southwest Coast corner/ Stephenville area, that I think is probably underdeveloped in terms of getting close to its potential. We all know in the province of Newfoundland we have some great iconic tourist attractions that are not in this area, and with what they're doing in Isle aux Morts and other regions of the riding that tourism can be an enormous part of our prosperity.

I had the privilege of speaking at the recent senior citizen's provincial convention ... and that every single government program and every potential benefit is accessed so that seniors are given every benefit that they so rightly deserved - they built our province.

One other area that I should speak to is the first nations people that live in this region and that ... their rights are fully recognized and agreements put in place that recognize those rights.

Are there any changes you'd like to see in the riding?

First of all, it's making sure whatever change that I come up with ... is about, "let's all work together to achieve these changes." Therefore, that means a much stronger level of communication from the municipal level through the provincial politicians and public servants and the same at the federal level. Basically, we're all here to serve the public. So, first of all, let's get us working together. And then there are virtually no limits to what we can do.

One of our core industries is our fishery ... and any changes in terms of changes to the fishery to make it more prosperous.

The oil and gas industry that's going to take place right in this area and how that would assist people.

The changes in terms of changes of infrastructure from fuel storage capacity at the airport to a range of changes to make the [Stephenville] airport more viable.

I think a change in another way is to have other Newfoundlanders visit and come to this region and us as a province learn much more about who we are and what a wonderful place this is.

How can you make a difference - or why should people vote for you?

Well, I think I would trust that in this process, people would get to know me better, get to know my achievements [but] very rarely do I do things by myself.

The opportunity to work together with people, I've got a history of anything I've achieved was working with people, that's a key point. The experience I have in a broad range of areas in my own business life, in the fishing industry, in the broadcast media industry where I produced Land and Sea and the Fishermen's Broadcast.

The experience I've gained in the past five years. Obviously, I haven't been a member of parliament for this region, but I've dealt with a lot of matters on this region's behalf - and that's given me a lot of experience dealing with every ministry in Ottawa.