A plan or no plan? Costed or not costed? Business friendly or foe?

They were among the jabs given back and forth between the candidates vying to represent Sault Ste. Marie at Queen’s Park after June 7.

Liberal challenger Jaclynne Hamel relied on more than a decade of her party’s track record, arguing that it is the only properly costed platform of the major parties and addresses all ministries and issues important to Ontarians.

Incumbent Progressive Conservative Ross Romano blames the Liberals mismanagement for Ontario’s high deficit, job loss and failing health care system.

New Democrat Michele McCleave-Kennedy pitches a costed plan that will work regardless of what has been said by others.

Green Party’s Kara Flannigan said voting for her is about change that will protect people and the environment and newcomer Sandy Holmberg, of the Northern Ontario Party said her party is about advocating for the North and reminding Queen’s Park that Northern Ontario is here.

The five candidates squared off Tuesday at a breakfast all-candidates forum for Sault Ste. Marie Chamber of Commerce members.

They were quizzed on a number of issues centring on small business like how they would engage the business community, reduce regulatory burdens and create jobs and if they would support a ferrochrome processing facility in Sault Ste. Marie.

The candidates also responded to questions about the importance of providing affordable, accessible and quality daycare, how they would invest in universities and innovation and what their priorities are for Sault Ste. Marie and Northern Ontario.

Hamel argued that the Liberals support business and reduce red tape for businesses, reduce corporate tax and make investments in the Ring of Fire. Plans include increasing the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corp budget to $150 million over three years, crate more apprenticeships and provide free child care. Investments in health care, long-term care and expanding free medication for the young and old will also be made.

Romano said the PC’s will listen to the people and represent their needs. His party advocates for lower hydro rates, investment in infrastructure, committing to the Ring of Fire and adding front line doctors and nurses to reduce waiting times and improve health care. Businesses will see a reduction of red tape, cap and trade will be cut and government will ensure business has the tools it needs to thrive and get out of the way to allow them to do just that.

McCleave-Kennedy says the NDP will invest in infrastructure, health care, mental health and education to ensure that people are healthy and able to work. Her party will also increase apprenticeships, pharmacare and dental care and get the Ring of Fire development moving foward.

Flannigan said the Green’s support people and the environment and will focus on jobs, clean tech, energy efficiency, housing, mental health service, a basic income guarantee and a long-term energy plan. Holmberg said the Northern Ontario Party’s platform is just a skeleton but more data is being collected to ensure that Northern needs are met.

The Chamber wanted to know what the candidates would do to reduce regulatory burdens that are hampering growth of small business and what the parties would do to create jobs and skilled labour.

McCleave-Kennedy, president of the Sault Ste. Marie Labour Council and member of the community adjustment committee, said the key is to work with business to determine where the jobs of the future are and work with universities and colleges to ensure students are receiving the proper training.

“I understand the precarious worker situation and how difficult it can be to get going,” she said. “We need to talk and diversify with our partners by building the skills and showcasing the jobs that will keep youth in Sault Ste. Marie to replace retiring workers.

Hamel said cutting red tape has saved businesses millions of dollars and the Liberals have a track record that demonstrates how to work with small businesses.

The PC’s, she said, don’t have a plan in place.

But Romano countered that it’s the Liberals who have created thousands of regulatory requirements that have slowed permit processes for industries like Noront Resources and gold miners. More than 50,000 direct jobs have been lost in the forestry industry and regulations have made Ontario businesses less competitive.

Flannigan said that all three mainstream parties have repeated the same mistakes over and over and are getting the same results and suggested that it’s time to try something different by simplifying things and scaling back things like taxes.

The candidates were also asked how they would ensure that affordable, accessible and quality daycare is provided for Ontario’s youngest.

Hamel said the Liberals will provide free daycare for children 2.5 years old until full-time day care at a cost of $2.2 billion. In order to do that, 10,000 more daycare spaces will be provided to allow parents to rejoin the work force while ensuring their young ones have high quality daycare, she said.

Romano said the PCs will provide a 75 per cent rebate back for all daycare or babysitter needs for children from birth to 15 years old.

“We will provide the benefit for all people in care, no matter what type of daycare or babysitter service they have for their children,” he said.

McCleave-Kennedy said the NDP plan is affordable and allows parents to return to the workforce when ready. For wage earners under $45,000, free day care would be provided and for those who earn higher, day care would be $12 per day.

She said affordable daycare also comes with the need for affordable housing and 65,000 new affordable homes will be created across Ontario to help low income earners.

Flannigan said the issue is part of the Green Party’s vision and the party recognizes that early childhood care is necessary for women, business and society.

All the candidates listed roads and rail improvements as major priorities for Northern Ontario.

McCleave-Kennedy said the NDP would also restore 50 per cent of funding for municipal transit.

Hamel said the Liberals would put $206 million into rural and Northern communities over the next two years and Romano said the PCs wold eliminate the aviation fuel tax, bring bath the Northlander and ensure roads are built to the Ring of Fire development.

Flannigan said the Green’s would also add cycling transportation to the mix.

The candidates will square off again on Tues. June 5 at the Civic Centre’s council chambers. The event will run from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

The provincial election is June 7.