As part of our election package, each week, The News will pose a question to the candidates in the riding of Hamilton East - Stoney Creek. This week's question is: If you are elected what will be your first priority for the constituents of Hamilton East - Stoney Creek?

* * *

Frank Rukavina, Conservative Party

Residents in East Hamilton and Stoney Creek are understandably concerned about the financial crisis in the US.

Our economic fundamentals are different from those in the United States, because we have made different choices. We're running surpluses - they're running deficits. We're paying down debt - they're adding to debt. That said our economies are connected. Like you, I know that government needs a real plan.

The Conservative government has implemented a plan to help protect the Canadian economy from the U.S. financial crisis. Its key principles are: keeping the budget balanced; lowering taxes for families; investing in jobs; keeping inflation low and working with the banking sector and international bodies to stimulate the economy. Just this week, we took strong action as central banks in Canada, the United States, Britain, the European Union, Sweden, Switzerland and China cut key interest rates to help stimulate the economy.

Only the Conservative party has a plan to protect our economy. The Liberals have no plan. Instead, they offer deficit spending, higher taxes and a job-killing carbon tax.

As your Member of Parliament, I will get our fair share of federal dollars for infrastructure and community projects and I will work with all governments to create jobs.

In the past, we've elected high profile career politicians that accomplished very little. This time, we need someone who will put our community and our local economy first.

* * *

David Hart Dyke, Green Party

If elected, my first, second and third priority for my constituents will be to bring green manufacturing to the riding. We desperately need well-paid jobs to replace those that have gone, and it's certain that during the next 30 years, green-related business will be a growth sector. It's equally certain that by working to implement grants, tax breaks and rebates for people who choose to make their homes and businesses more energy efficient, increased local construction will lead to a greater demand for suppliers, skilled tradespeople and basic construction work.

The Hamilton East - Stoney Creek riding is full of educated, skilled, hard-working people. It offers excellent rail and water transportation, and the kind of natural beauty that would make business leaders happy to move their families here. Because we live right next to it, we sometimes forget that the Niagara Escarpment is a priceless natural asset, and a compelling argument that decision-makers should bring their families to Stoney Creek and Hamilton along with their businesses. The fact that we live right on top of a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve is a powerful marketing tool, when the businesses you're asking to locate here are green.

Even before implementing the Green Party's vision for the future, we can begin by raising Hamilton's profile internationally. As the only party with international ties and the commitment to a vision that resonates right now with companies that are taking advantage of the changing environmental reality, the Green Party is uniquely suited to facilitate Hamilton's entrance onto the world stage. We've tried other methods to bring business to Hamilton, and the results haven't been all we could have wished. More is needed. My party, commitment and vision for the future will put out a message the most progressive and long-term sustainable companies in the world are ready to hear: Hamilton is open for business...green business.

* * *

Larry Di Ianni, Liberal Party

As I travel door to door, people are telling me, with worry in their voice, about their retirement savings that are disappearing, and equally worrisome, about their jobs that aren't coming back.

I believe governments have a responsibility to protect Canadians from undue economic harm and to take prudent, responsible action to respond at a time of crisis. A new Liberal government will implement a five-point economic action plan within the first thirty days of being sworn in to provide Canadians with needed certainty for the current economic and financial context.

Our 30-day action plan will include meeting with economic experts, financial regulatory agencies and first ministers to identify the best way to stimulate investment and create long-term, high-paying jobs to help Canadians through these difficult times.

I will be a proactive participant in the Liberal Party to ensure that the concerns of Hamilton East-Stoney Creek are best represented in this economic action plan.

* * *

Wayne Marston, NDP

My first priority will be to humbly thank all of my constituents for honouring me with a second term as their federal representative.

Then, I will continue to do the hard work and outreach to my constituents that I have done for the past 2.5 years. While I was the MP I was able to help thousands of Hamilton families with their CPP, EI, Immigration and Revenue Canada issues and this will continue. I will help eligible constituents to benefit from the Disability Tax Credit and will host seminars to help more people apply for this benefit. I will continue my work to raise awareness for Turtle Ponds, the environmentally sensitive wetlands, and continue to fight on the campaign in support of Billy Mason's family and demand that the government establish a National DNA Databank for Missing Persons.

Thousands of hard-working Canadians are struggling to pay the bills and support their families because they are forced to rely on a succession of insecure, low-wage jobs. We can do better. Every worker deserves a fair day's pay for a fair day's work, respect in the workplace, and a secure pension.

The people of Hamilton East and Stoney Creek need someone on their side, to provide them access to government services. I want to continue to be the representative that makes their life a little bit easier, and a whole lot better.