David Tilson David Tilson’s voting record in the House of Commons provided one of the few sparks at the all-candidates debate in Orangeville Tuesday night.

Otherwise, the debate on many levels might be seen as virtually a carbon-copy of the previous debate, in Shelburne last Thursday, with the same number of questions, and basically the same concerns being posed from residents in attendance.

Agriculture, health care, military spending and the potential use of the Charter’s notwithstanding clause to repeal samesex marriage laws were the issues raised by an audience of fewer than 200 potential electors.

Voter apathy and the timing of the winter election have been two concerns raised nationally during this election and the relatively small turnout Tuesday night may be a reflection of that concern.

Mr. Tilson, Liberal candidate Garry Moore, NDP representative Chris Marquis and the Green Party’s Ted Alexander were able to comment on all of the questions raised and 18 out of the 23 questions were directed to all the candidates.

The one issue that did raise some eyebrows during the evening came from Mr. Moore’s questioning of Mr. Tilson’s voting record since his election in 2004.

Garry Moore Mr. Moore contended that the MP for Dufferin Caledon had one of the poorest voting records among opposition members during his time in Ottawa.

“He is in the bottom 12 per cent of MPs who failed to vote on bills,” Mr. Moore said in his opening remarks.

Mr. Tilson defended his record when a member of the audience asked him to speak directly to the comments about his time in Ottawa.

“I don’t know where Mr. Moore got his information,” Mr. Tilson said. “I was present for votes 98 per cent of the time. When I wasn’t there, I was needed here in the riding.”

The candidates agreed that developments like the wind farm in Melancthon were welcome and alternatives to creating power should become a priority, especially for this area.

“The wind farms could make this area a self-sufficient riding,” said Mr. Alexander.

Student debt load and the high cost of post secondary education was another question and all members of the panel agreed that there was a problem in the cost of education.

Chris Marquis The NDP candidate, currently a student at the University of Guelph, suggested that lowering the costs of tuition and improving the student loan program would be a step in the right direction.

One issue that has not been discussed at the national level was raised by local resident Todd Landry — the future of the insurance industry. He wanted to know what the candidates’ position was on the possibility of the banking industry getting into the insurance business.

The candidates were not able to discuss in detail what their party’s position was on this. Even Mr. Marquis wanted to find out more about the issue before commenting.

Another question about election reform and proportional representation had all the candidates agreeing that the system for sending representatives to Ottawa needs to be changed.

One resident asked for comments on how each representative would support the needs of the military.

The Green Party and the NDP candidates suggested that Canadians needed to better define the role of the military and foreign policy before purchasing any new equipment.

Ted Alexander Mr. Tilson said that improvements are needed immediately because of all of the problems the military has had to contend with.

He spoke about the need to increase spending on the deployment team called DART and listed a number of past incidents, like the tragic fire that occurred on board a submarine in 2004, as an example of the state of the military.

Mr. Moore, a former major in the Canadian Forces, told the audience that the military is effective and being led well under General Hilliard and that the election hampered any efforts by the Liberal party to increase needed military spending.

One question from the audience, perhaps suggesting that the country may have to deal with another minority government, asked how each candidate would act in the role of an opposition member in the House of Commons.

All four candidates believed that teamwork was the best way to work as a representative in Ottawa, although Mr. Tilson said that it would not be his job to bolster the Liberals’ platform, but he has worked successfully on parliamentary committees with other party representatives.

Each candidate spoke on the need for accountability and vowed to be accountable for their actions.

The event was moderated by Rob Rice, Orangeville businessman and former president of the Greater Dufferin Area Chamber of Commerce. Each candidate was given the opportunity for opening and closing remarks, as well as time to answer the audience questions.

The debate was recorded by Rogers Cable and will be televised several times between now and January 23, check the local listings for air time.

The final debate for the riding is scheduled for this evening in Bolton at the Rotary Place.