Perth-Wellington candidates debated again, this time in Listowel and Agriculture Hall touching on a variety of subjects from agriculture, to education and housing.
6 candidates were present including Matthew Rae of the Conservatives, Ashley Fox for the Liberals, Laura Bisutti from the Green Party, NDP’s Jo-Dee Burbach, Sandy McGregor of the Ontario Party, Bob Hosken of the New Blue Party and Robby Smink from the Freedom Party.
In regards to agriculture education for students, Ashley Fox says small business options and agriculture needs to be brought in while Matt Rae says investments have come in locally.
“The $1.8 million in the North Perth Skills Training Hub in Atwood. That highlights the fields in apprenticeship which includes combines and tractors which are high tech and a lot of our dealers are looking for people who can understand and fix that. Investing in skilled trades will help address that locally.” said Rae.
McGregor, who is a teacher says co-op programs for agriculture are available where he teaches, adding it needs to expand across the area.
Burbach mentioned the use of technology and agriculture tie together and needs to be taught.
Smink says there needs to be a change such as teaching about cash or maintaining a mortgage. Smink says today education is less about the students and more on the union.
Hoskens says the New Blue Party will invest in what works which includes youth, adding locally, it needs to be taught to have kids want to stay and work on their family farms.
The full debate can be found from the Perth County Federation of Agriculture on Facebook.