WINNIPEG — Five candidates vying for the mayor’s chair are hoping they said the right things to earn votes Wednesday night.
Judy Wasylycia-Leis, Brian Bowman, Gord Steeves, Paula Havixbeck and Robert Falcon Ouellette were front and centre at a debate put on by Downtown BIZ.
The candidates fielded questions on many problems plaguing the city’s centre.
Steeves has made downtown safety a large part of his platform, saying he would add police, crack down on public drunkenness and ban panhandling.
He defended his plan during the debate.
“These people need assistance and should be taken to a place where they can receive assistance,” he said.
Havixbeck fired back, saying one in four people deal with a mental health issue. More police won’t solve the problem, she said.
While safety, rapid transit and getting people to live downtown were debated, it was the topic of property taxes and raising them that got the candidates the most fired up.
“How about the PST Judy, how about the PST?” said Steeves at one point, referring to Wasylycia-Leis’ ties to the NDP and how that party raised the provincial sales tax in Manitoba last year.
“I’m not opposed to taxes, Gord,” replied Wasylycia-Leis.
Steeves said he would freeze taxes and is the only candidate so far to say he would. Havixbeck said she wouldn’t raise taxes any more but would keep a dedicated two per cent increase that goes toward fixing roads.
Steeves also took aim at Bowman’s plan to ask the province for a cut of the PST increase to help pay for rapid transit.
“There is a better chance of Robin Hood giving the city money for rapid transit than the province giving more,” he said.
People at the debate said they weren’t won over by any one candidate.
“It made it more confusing,” said Morgan Brightnose.
“I’m stuck between Judy, Robert and Brian,” said Marjan Hakimi, a first-time voter.
Election day is Oct. 22.
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