Crime and punishment.
These will be the main issues up for debate when Wild Rose candidates clash at election forums held across the riding this month.
While the 2008 election focused on Green and Liberal carbon tax proposals, this year’s campaign will likely focus on the Conservative government’s continued push in toughen sentences and crack down on violent offenders.
Nationally, the parties seem focused on other matters. The Conservatives want to talk about the economy, the Liberals about education, the NDP about so called ‘pocket-book issues. But locally, given the candidates involved, a real debate about crime and punishment will likely take centre stage.
While the Conservative government abandoned balanced budgets and fiscal conservatism at the start of the recession, incumbent MP Blake Richards has focused much of his attention on justice issues. Besides supporting a variety of measures introduced by his government, he has taken an active role in championing a push to end the practice of granting pardons to those convicted of serious crimes.
For the first time in decades, the Liberal party is offering a serious alternative in Wild Rose. Retired provincial judge John Reilly holds a spectacularly divergent view from Richards, and has a lifetime of personal experience in the justice system, giving him credibility on the subject.
Given the riding’s history of strong support for the Conservatives, a change of MP is not likely in the offing. However, with these two candidates involved, a real debate is. And that’s a good thing.
