Candidates from the Niagara Falls riding taking part in CKTB's Niagara Votes debate today.
NDP candidate Wayne Gates is running for re-election in the riding, which also includes Fort Erie and Niagara-on-the-Lake.
Gates is promising that the South Niagara hospital will be built, but under the New Democrats will be funded a bit differently with a stronger focus on a public funding formula.
Liberal Candidate and small business owner Dean Demizio says the funding formula already established by the governing Liberals works and the details have already been worked out to ensure the hospital is built on-time and on-budget.
Demizio says the P3 (public private partnership) formula costs more but everything is covered from top to bottom.
He says the gravy train has stopped for Gates, and it's time for change.
Running for the PC's is Chuck McShane a local businessman who says the NDP party can't comment on healthcare given it's history claiming the party cut 125,000 jobs across the province.
McShane says the hospital is a top priority and he will make sure he's at the table when important decisions are made.
He says Gates likes to take credit for the hospital, but he shouldn't since he still can't secure a date for the opening of the hospital.
The Green Party's Karen Fraser says the party is more focused on preventative care, and not sick care.
She also claims that Niagara Falls Mayor Jim Diodati has no idea how many beds will be in the Niagara Falls hospital so that just shows that the hospital is already old news.
When discussing the Fort Erie Race Track's future, McShane repeated his leader's commitment that the PC government would bring slots back, and it was the Conservatives who brought the slots to the track in the first place.
McShane says if Gates is satisfied with 40 racing days a year that's fine for him, but he is not.
The PC candidate wants slots back at the track and more racing days.
Demizio says the Liberal government has set the track up for success with a funding formula.
He says he is the only candidate who lives in Fort Erie and the track will not close under his watch.
Demizio says they are working on a plan for a non-profit agency to buy the track and slots will be considered following that decision.
Gates says he is aware of the proposal of a non-profit agency taking over the track, but he didn't want to reveal information that may not be for public consumption yet.
Gates says the NDP was able to secure emergency funding to keep the track alive and he has worked hard to get a 19-year agreement for the track to keep it open and successful.
He supports the idea of bringing slots back to the track.
Fraser says while the Green party does not have a specific directive on brining back slots to Fort Erie she wants people to know that the Green Party offers incentives for environmentally friendly jobs and companies.
Also running in the riding for the Libertarian Party Shaun Somers, and for the Ontario Moderate Party Zubic Goran.
The debate will re-air at 7 p.m tonight.
Tomorrow we welcome candidates from the Niagara West riding for a debate that starts at 7pm.