Candidates press e-gaming spending at Summerside-Wilmot debate

The four candidates in P.E.I.'s Summerside-Wilmot byelection debated Tuesday, and e-gaming was a hot topic of discussion.

Representativesofthreeparties did not agree on how to go about it, but they all agreed more answers were needed about the government's failed effort to regulate e-gaming.

• 'Lack of due regard for transparency' in e-gaming file says P.E.I. auditor general

NDP candidate Scott Gaudet went the furthest, echoing his party's call for a full judicial inquiry, despite concerns about the cost.

"If we can spend $65 million on roadways, I'm pretty sure the people would be OK with actually spending the money on something that really matters to us, and that's taxpayers' dollars being used in a criminal manner," said Gaudet.

PC candidate Brian Ramsay did not call for a judicial inquiry, but wasn't sure a public inquiry would dig deep enough, but did say the auditor general's report wasn't enough.

"Some sort of an inquiry has to be done," said Ramsay.

"We just can't just let them say, OK, we made a mistake, we'll move on from here."

Green candidate Lynne Lund wanted more answers, but said the real focus needs to be less on blame and more on changing systems.

"If we don't actually change the structures as they exist these things will continue to happen," said Lund.

Liberal candidate Chris Palmer is concerned about the potential cost of an inquiry. He noted the AG pointed out there are procedures in place that weren't followed, and he felt the new whistleblower legislation could prevent that happening again.

Job creation

More jobs for Summerside was also a key area of discussion.

Ramsay argued more support from the provincial government is needed.

"Standing up for Summerside and being a voice for Summerside in front of the provincial government, and having them realize that we're not going away is the first step in bringing support to us here," he said.

Lund agreed investment would help and offered specifics. She believes a micro-loan program in the province would assist entrepreneurs in creating jobs.

Palmer said research into other municipalities, similar to Summerside, could offer new ideas on job creation.

"We learn from their success and create new trends within our communities. Let's take their most successful ideas and implement them here," he said.

Gaudet wants to see more infrastructure investments and a higher minimum wage.

All four candidates agreed more investment in green energy projects would be a good way to lower unemployment.

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