Talking tough
Horton calls for public debate
GUYSBOROUGH - Liberal candidate Dave Horton has issued a challenge to Conservative Ronnie Chisholm and the NDP's Jim Boudreau to hold a public debate before voters in Guysborough-Sheet Harbour go to the polls on June 13.
"Anytime, anywhere - I'm ready," Horton told The Journal on Monday.
"And I want a real debate, not just candidates giving platform speeches."
When contacted by The Journal, Chisholm didn't commit to a debate but said he "wasn't scared" to face off with his rivals.
"My campaign team will determine when and where any debates will be held, if there are any," Chisholm said. "But I'm ready to go if (the Conservative campaign team) wants to have it."
Boudreau welcomed the idea.
"I think it's extremely important to get out there and discuss the issues," he said. "I'm happy to meet with Mr. Chisholm and Mr. Horton."
While a few "candidates' forums" are being planned - including one in Moser River on June 3 - The Journal understands that the candidates' management teams were finalizing plans for a head-to-head debate late Tuesday.
Horton issued his challenge shortly after outlining his platform, which he said was based on the party's "real and substantive" pledges to the people of Nova Scotia. He said Liberal promises to offset the cost of university tuition and to create a ministry dedicated to the needs of senior citizens were key commitments.
However Horton also took time out to say he wanted to help restore credibility to the political scene.
"A lot of people are distrustful of politicians and with good reason. It can't go on," he said.
"I believe that this constituency requires firm leadership. It requires an MLA who can go to Halifax, who can speak, who will be heard, who will be listened to and who can bring influence on the political system to deliver economic development initiatives to this constituency."
Horton said Guysborough-Sheet Harbour didn't receive enough attention from Halifax.
"I can provide the leadership that's required," he said.
"This constituency has received scant attention from the provincial government, certainly over the past seven years and probably before that. We have had very limited economic development in this constituency…Our highways are probably the worst in the province overall and we have an out-migration (rate) that's probably one of the highest in the province.
"I have a very legitimate chance of taking this election and becoming MLA. I have been campaigning door-to-door since January in all areas of the constituency and I will continue to campaign until the very last moment."
