Talk:CanadaVOTES: NDP incumbent David Christopherson running in Hamilton Centre

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David Christopherson

NDP

Hamilton Centre

Incumbents: Why did you choose to run for office, and why do you wish

to continue as an MP?

I first ran for office in 1984 because I felt that the government at that time was too focused on its own re-election and on the needs of big corporations, which were already making billions of dollars, and not focusing enough on workers, the poor, and their families.

I'm running now, for re-election, for those same reasons. The Conservative government, with the full cooperation of the Liberal Official Opposition, has dramatically cut Canada's ability to respond to the economic downturn. They've pumped millions of dollars into corporate tax cuts (for oil companies and banks, especially) and into military spending. And they've refused to invest in infrastructure and communities, in social programs, and in environmental efforts.

People in Hamilton Centre need good, long-term jobs. They need clean air and water. They need support for social programs, health care and education. They're not getting any of those things. That's why I'm running again.

Incumbents: Are you satisfied with your time as MP? What would be the

biggest highlights of the roughly two years since the last election?

The biggest disappointment?

I am very satisfied with my time as MP, and especially with the accomplishments of the NDP team under Leader Jack Layton. We have forced the minority Conservatives and Liberals to adopt strong environmental legislation; secured money for the clean-up of Randle Reef in Hamilton Harbour; got the government to reverse cuts to women's health programs; and much more.

My biggest disappointment is that the Liberals, given every chance to fight against this government, chose to do nothing. Worse, they either skipped votes or voted with the Conservatives.

As you campaign around your riding, it's likely that some issues are

mentioned more often by voters, than other issues. What would you say

are the three hottest topics this election, in your riding? What would

you and your party do to address these issues?

Only three? That's hard! Jobs is the biggest issue here in Hamilton Centre. We've lost hundreds of good, well-paying industrial jobs and the Conservatives have nothing to offer unemployed workers. We want to create new "green collar" jobs through environmental initiatives, such as refurbishing public buildings.

The environment is mentioned every day, too. Hamiltonians are sick of regular smog days throughout the summer, of a polluted Harbour, and of course they're concerned about global warming and the fact that, under successive Liberal and Conservative governments, Canada is now producing more greenhouse gases than ever. The NDP government will introduce a strict cap and trade program to reverse this trend.

Finally, social programs, including Canada's national health care program, post-secondary education, and welfare and training programs, are all under threat by the Conservatives. The NDP would reinvest in these programs.

And fourth - can I have a number four? - Canada's crumbling infrastructure (a big word of safe drinking water, dependable transit, etc) is causing huge problems for Canada's cities. And it means higher property taxes for homeowners. The NDP will invest in infrastructure and increase the gas-tax transfer, which we created through the 2006 NDP budget.

Is there any misconceptions about you, your leader, or your party and

platform?

Nope!

There's a more ways than ever to get your message out, from the

traditional campaign fliers and lawn signs, to new media like

websites, Facebook, and YouTube. The tried-and-true routes get the

message out to the masses much easier, but digital alternatives are

much more measurable in how many are seeing or interacting with your

campaign. What seems to be the most effective, from your experience?

Well, obviously there's room for both. Digital communications tools are great - they can be interactive, instantly updated, and used to reach a given audience quickly. But in Hamilton Centre, we have many people who can't afford Internet services or computers, and many older people who aren't comfortable with technology. Traditional methods reach everyone, but are limited in terms of content and can be costly. An effective campaign needs to use every available means of communicating with our voters. - Show quoted text -