Economic and angst over government handling of the Six Nations land claims issue.
Government handling of the economic recession.
The hubbub over the Green Energy Hub.
Histrionics over the HST.
The controversy over the route of new Highway 24.
Those were the issues on the political menu for Brant MP Phil McColeman and Brant MPP Dave Levac at the annual breakfast for the two office holders that the Chamber of Commerce Brantford-Brant on Friday morning.
The event, involving more than 100 people in the Best Western Brant Park Inn, was sponsored by Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corp.
For two hours, the two politicians defended their respective governments' positions and records, and sometimes gently sparred over which was responsible for each matter.
On the land claims issue that has bedeviled the local economy, McColeman played up the minority Conservative government's ability to get a tentative $145-million settlement of two longstanding land claims held by the Mississaugas of the New Credit.
"This was a land claim sitting in Ottawa that needed a boost, needed a shove," he said.
Concerning the 28 claims still outstanding from Six Nations, McColeman said the negotiators have been working hard toward a settlement since the process began four years ago in 2006 when Haudenosaunee activists occupied a former housing development in Caledonia and declared it a "reclamation."
"It is safe to say, however, that the process is not working," he admitted.
He said the government still has to examine the latest proposal from Six Nations for an $82-billion universal settlement of all claims in the Haldimand Tract, involving perpetual care and a share in casino revenues, and the hiring of a facilitator or mediator.
Levac said it would be simplistic to just say claims settlement is Ottawa's responsibility alone.
"It's not that simple," he said, acknowledging that Queen's Park has some role in the process.
"It's a partnership."
Despite the lack of settlement and lingering angry words, Levac said natives and local government and business are finding ways of working together through economic co-operation.
"We've headed down a road that I believe this can be fixed."
But he stressed that success will be found only if the blame games and the passing of responsibility stops. After nearly 200
years, "we need to get this on the table and do it now," he said.
"It's our generation's turn. We can't leave it for another 200 years."
McColeman tried to pass off the controversy over the harmonized sales tax in Ontario as something that the federal government traditionally has agreed to enter into when provinces have asked.
He said precedents were set by previous federal governments before the Conservatives came to power in 2006.
Levac rebutted that position, saying the current Conservative government in Ottawa has been an avid player, and their provincial counterparts were early advocates for the HST.
He also said the continuing focus on the issue has hidden the Dalton McGuinty government's overhaul of tax policy at the provincial level, Ontario's Tax Plan for Jobs and Growth, is bringing about decreases in personal and corporate income tax and other business taxes, while instituting the HST.
It is meant to establish a better tax environment for the new green manufacturing economy.
People don't realize it yet, he said, but as of Jan. 1 they will enjoy a massive income tax deduction, thousands will be wiped off the tax rolls, a new tax credit is coming for adults and children, and small business operators will enjoy an 18% cut in the small business tax.
"This was a modernization that was necessary for the modern world."
Levac said he will continue to push to have the Lake Erie region designated as a Green Energy Hub, which he claimed will create thousands of jobs in a revitalized economy led by new businesses and green technology.
McColeman said the Conservative government's economic action plan to recover from the recession is working. He claimed the stimulus grants are serving their purpose, but will end as soon as the fragile recovery is far enough along.
He promised the government will not use tax hikes to eliminate a deficit of more than $50 billion, and will maintain the tax and fiscal advantage that Canada has gained among the G7 countries.
Levac said he remains a strong supporter of a new Highway 24, which is now delayed by a legal action filed by opponents.
Contrary to their claims that the road runs contrary to provincial policies against sprawl development, Levac claimed that it meets those policies. He predicted construction could start in six years.