Bill C-51 proved to be a hot topic at an all candidates debate Monday night.
The debate was hosted by the University of Winnipeg Students’ Association, University of Winnipeg Faculty Association and University of Winnipeg Alumni Association.
NDP incumbent Pat Martin, The Communist Party’s Darrell Rankin, the Liberal’s Robert-Falcon Ouellette and the Green Party’s Don Woodstock attended.
Conservative candidate Allie Szarkiewicz was unable to attend.
Questions were divided into three themes: post-secondary education; jobs and opportunities; and energy and the environment.
Moderators asked that candidates stick to policy and refrain from making personal attacks.
Candidates mostly stuck to the rules, but things became heated when Bill C-51 was brought up.
Pat Martin introduced the topic of Bill C-51 during a question about consulting First Nations about resource development.
“It should offend the sense of anybody who calls themselves a democrat,” said Martin.
Don Woodstock also touched on the bill.
“Bill C-51 would classify Don Woodstock as a terrorist because unlike everyone else here Don Woodstock has been on marches on the streets," said Woodstock.
Robert-Falcon Ouellette said the Liberals have grave concerns about Bill C-51.
“We’re not satisfied with it, you might disagree with it, but at the end of the day there is also something which reigns supreme above that law, which is our charter of values and freedoms,” said Ouellette.
Canadians head to the polls on October 19th.
