Candidate's Debate

The future of the province depends on the prosperity of urban centres. So, what will the province do for us?Which party offers the strongest vision for the Toronto region? On September 22nd, CBC Toronto held a G.T.A. candidates' debate. Three candidates - from different ridings - weighed in with their plans, and their vision.

We asked each of the candidates, "What's in it for the Toronto region? What will you do to help us reach our fullest potential?"

Metro Morning's Matt Galloway moderated the discussion. Watch the video above, read the full news story, or listen to the audio below.

Audio

Economic strategy
The candidates debate which economic strategy is the right choice for challenging times. Listen (runs 5:51)

Where's the gravy?
Where would the newly elected, or re-elected, Ontario government find the required money? Listen (runs 5:05)

The greatest challenge
What is the greatest challenge facing the Toronto region? Listen (runs 2:42)

A tough decision
A tough question about a tough decision. An audience member asks each of the candidates what tough decision they think may be necessary, even if it's not a popular decision. Listen (runs 5:03)

Uploading
Under the Mike Harris government, many social service costs were downloaded to municipalities. But to help cities manage their budgets, the candidates were asked about uploading those costs back to the province.

The Liberal government has already started to do that, but candidate Brad Duguid was asked whether he'd speed up the process. PC Party candidate Pam Hundal and NDP candidate Paul Ferreira also responded. Listen (runs 3:41)

The Candidates

Brad Duguid is the Liberal candidate for Scarborough Centre.

He was first elected to Scarborough and Toronto City Councils. Then, in 2003, he moved into the provincial arena as the MPP for the riding of Scarborough Centre.

Since then, he's been Minister of Aboriginal Affairs, Minister of Labour, and a Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing.

During the last government, Mr.Duguid was Ontario's Minister of Energy. He lives in Scarborough with his wife, and two children.

Paul Ferreira of the New Democratic Party was first elected an MPP to York South Weston in the 2007 by-election.

He later lost that seat in a general election, and became chief of staff to former party leader Howard Hampton. He's now a senior advisor to NDP leader Andrea Horwath.

Mr. Ferreira is hoping to recapture a seat in the legislature for York South Weston on Oct. 6th. Before his foray into politics, he was a marketing and public relations executive, as well as a journalist. He continues to volunteer in his community, and is president of the York Lions Club.

The Progressive Conservatives' Pam Hundal is a lawyer by trade. She's vying for a seat in Brampton-Springdale, and has long been involved in community outreach and activism.

She's an advocate for better healthcare, and was part of the push for a second hospital in Brampton. She's currently involved in diversity outreach at the Wellspring Cancer Centre. She's also volunteered for the Children's Aid Society, as well as North Peel and Dufferin Legal Clinic .

Earlier this year, Ms.Hundal was recognized with an award from the city of Brampton for her long term volunteer work. She says rapidly growing cities like Brampton need better funding from the province to help sustain their growth.

For more on the Ontario provincial election, go to Ontario Votes 2011.