Winnipeg South Centre race heats up

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This article was published 05/10/2015 (3683 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Candidates in Winnipeg South Centre traded barbs last week over issues ranging from anti-Semitism to the economy.

In what will likely be the only all-candidates debate in Winnipeg South Centre, Jim Carr (Lib), Joyce Bateman (Con), Andrew Park (Green) and Matt Henderson (NDP) participated in the B’nai Brith National Debate Series at the Asper Jewish Community Campus’ Berney Theatre on Sept. 30.

Moderated by Winnipeg Free Press columnist Dan Lett, candidates responded to five questions that were raised in a recent survey conducted by B’nai Brith and then given a chance for rebuttal.
Asked about their party’s positions on the anti-Israel boycott and sanctions movement, candidates largely opposed boycotts and sanctions movement.

“People who once blamed Jews for all the world’s problems are now blaming Israel,” Conservative Joyce Bateman responded. “It’s got to stop. Our government has zero tolerance for anti-Semitism and all forms of discrimination, including the use of double standards whereas Israel is often held to a higher account than any other country in the world and its enemies literally do get away with murder.”

However Green Party’s Andrew Park took one exception.

“The equation of boycott and disinvestment movement with anti-Semitism doesn’t stand logically and it doesn’t speak for the various 75 organizations that have called for a potential boycott,” Park said, listing off a number of organizations. “I want to underline that the Green Party doesn’t support a boycott but under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms we defend any organization or individual’s right to do so.”

The relationship between Canada and Iran and the recent nuclear deal signed between Iran and six other countries came under scrutiny during the debate, with Carr, Henderson and Park criticizing the Harper government’s decision to close Canada’s embassy in the country and severing diplomatic ties.

“I really think that the last thing we should do is pull our embassy and our foreign service out of Tehran. How are we supposed to make sure Tehran is adhering to its obligations within the treaty that has been signed when no one is on the ground?” Henderson said.

Canada’s stance within the United Nations also came into question with both Henderson and Carr saying Canada has lost clout with the international body.

“Under the prime-ministership of Stephen Harper, Canada has never been more isolated in the council of nations,” Carr said.

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The most vocal audience reaction of the night came during Joyce Bateman’s chance for rebuttal on issues of the economy.

“I just want to, in deference to B’nai Brith’s hospitality tonight, share a few of the people who will be part of Mr. Carr’s team: Omar Alghabra, his colleague Liberal candidate who called Israel’s efforts to defend itself from Hamas rockets in 2014 blind and cruel. Borys Wrzesnewskyj who called for the legalization of Hezbollah…” Bateman said before groans and an audience member’s cries of “shame!” were put to a halt by the moderator.

The debate closed with Andrew Park passing out copies of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms to each candidate.

Election day is Oct. 19.

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