Kenney fends off attacks in Calgary-Lougheed byelection debate
Meghan Potkins, Calgary Herald
United Conservative Party Leader Jason Kenney defended himself against accusations of holding “extremist” views at a debate Sunday for candidates in the Calgary-Lougheed byelection.
In a wide-ranging debate that touched on issues like the carbon levy, diversifying the economy and class sizes, it was sometimes four-against-one as Kenney’s opponents took turns taking shots at the perceived front-runner.
Kenney, for his part, focused his attacks on NDP candidate Phillip van der Merwe, slamming the government and accusing the New Democrats of employing “apocalyptic talking points” when speaking about the UCP and its policies.
“I understand why the NDP is running a fear-and-smear campaign, because they’ve got nothing else to say,” Kenney told reporters after the debate.
“I’m not the kind of conservative who surrenders. I’m going to tell the truth when they lie about our policies. I’m going to correct the record.”
Sunday’s forum also included Liberal Party Leader David Khan, Green Party Leader Romy Tittel and Independent candidate Wayne Leslie. Nearly 300 attended the boisterous event hosted by the Calgary Leadership Forum and YYC Cares at a packed Braeside Community Centre.
Van der Merwe, a Calgary physician, told the forum that a return to conservative government in Canada will mean drastic cuts to health and education.
“I believe that Mr. Kenney is actually out of touch with both Canada and Calgary,” van der Merwe said following the debate, citing the UCP leader’s nearly two decades in Ottawa.
full story at http://calgaryherald.com/news/politics/kenney-fends-off-attacks-in-calgary-lougheed-byelection-debate
Categorised in: Canadian News