GreenPartyFederalCAL OROK (Green Party)

The Economy/FedNor

The first question posed to Algoma-Manitoulin-Kapuskasing Green Party candidate Cal Orok was what can be done to enhance the riding’s economy, which is primarily resource based.  Orok hinted that this should continue with added support in the railway/transportation sector.  He also hinted at a more practical approach to fixing FedNor…

Orok adds that the Green Party would invest 75 million dollars into science and 24 million into wild fisheries and rivers. He also mentioned that FedNor should only focus on Northern Ontario.  In his opinion, this should not include regions south of the French River — those communities should be cut off.

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Health Care

It’s all about the delivery of care.  That’s what patients should receive if they fall ill and it’s especially true when that person lives in one of the many small communities in Algoma-Manitoulin-Kapuskasing.  Green Party candidate Cal Orok  says there should more money for health care with an aging population where there are now more people over the age of 64 in Canada than under the age of 14.  He is especially in favour of more home care as part of the solution…

When asked about more health care transfer payments for the provinces, Orok answered that any future negotiations would to have be collaborative.  He further suggested that whoever is the prime minister will have to sit down with the provinces on a more regular basis and the money amounts to be given have to be ‘clear and realistic’.

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The Trans-Pacific Partnership

It wasn’t that long ago when talks were ‘secretive’ regarding the proposed Trans-Pacific Partnership.  But talks did pick up late last month in Atlanta, with specific concerns over dairy tariffs and a tentative deal followed.  Algoma-Manitoulin-Kapuskasing Green candidate Cal Orok feels more information should be made available in any deal that affects several countries and millions of people…

Prime Minister Stephen Harper had been promising to preserve the long-standing protection of the dairy and poultry industries, despite concerns from some opposition candidates. That only resulted in dairy farmers from Ontario and Quebec spilling milk on Parliament Hill — their way of expressing worry that Canada’s supply management system will take a hit resulting from the TPP.

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Bill C-51

Terrorism is not necessairily a subject you would think of when it comes to the Green Party.  But Bill C-51 is something the party is not in favour of, and party leader Elizabeth May would prefer to have it rescinded.  A-M-K Green candidate Cal Orok talks about what comes with the legislation…

Privacy — or the lack of it — is sacrificed because of the legislation, according to Orok.  Other opposition candidates have announced similar issues.  The New Democrats also want Bill C-51 repealed.

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Syrian Refugee Crisis

The issue of the refugee crisis continues to be topical.  It is especially taking hold with an announcement a recent Sault City Council meeting that a local church is sponsoring its first refugee family.  The family of six from Thailand was expected to arrive in Sault Ste. Marie over the next few weeks.  Cal Orok is running for the Green Party in Algoma-Manitoulin-Kapuskasing.  He talks about what should be done about the situation involving ISIS and Syrian refugees caught in their attempt to escape to a better life…

A-M-K Conservative Andre Robichaud mentioned that the real root of the refugee issue — ISIS — should be handled.  However, some opposition candidates suggest Canada take a more diplomatic approach — as a peacekeeper — to solve the problem with humanitarian aid.

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Energy Infrastructure/Grid Protection

Electrical energy — in particular the electrical grid that millions of North Americans rely on — is almost always discussed whenever there is a power failure.  With recent moves towards alternative energy like wind and solar power, it would only be fitting that this should be a topic in an election campaign like this one.  A-M-K Green party candidate Cal Orok talks about what comes with the legislation…

Orok adds that if a nuclear plant goes down or moves the energy to another place because of wind power coming online, that also makes things harder to manage. He also acknowledged that Canada is moving towards green energy like Germany, who is said to be moving away from nuclear by 2022.  But Orok stresses that the move has to be done in a way that is cost-effective. A major issue for Orok in his riding is that involving nuclear waste with four A-M-K communities in the running to receive it — a situation that continues to unfold.