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Questioning Esquimalt-Saanich-Sooke candidates: David Merner – Liberal

The Victoria News asked candidates the following two questions regarding how to help young Canadians find work and international refugees

Canada’s youth unemployment rate is at 13 per cent, what would your party do to help more young Canadians find work?

Stephen Harper’s job creation record is the worst of any prime minister since 1946. Less than 182,000 young Canadian are employed today than before the 2008-09 recession.  To get the economy moving, a Liberal government will launch the largest infrastructure investment in Canadian history, building public transit, sewage facilities, seniors’ centres, child care facilities, affordable housing, and a green economy. We will kick-start youth employment through a $1.3-billion investment over three years to: create 40,000 youth jobs annually, as well as 5,000 new green jobs for youth at Parks Canada and in environmental organizations; help employers create new co-op placements for science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and business students; and help young Canadians gain valuable experience through community building projects funded through a $25 million Youth Service Program.

We’ll waive EI premiums for 12 months for all employers who give a full time job to someone between the ages of 18 to 24.

What should Canada’s role be in dealing with international refugees?

The Harper Conservatives have demonstrated astounding incompetence in their handling of the Syrian refugee crisis. We have a proud tradition in Canada as an open, generous country that has integrated refugees into our economy and society with great success. Canada should not stand idly by as families flee for their lives. Let’s cut through the Conservative government’s bureaucratic red tape around refugees, without reducing screening standards.

A Liberal government will: expand Canada’s intake to 25,000 refugees from Syria this year through immediate, direct sponsorship by the Government of Canada; invest an additional $100 million this fiscal year; provide an immediate $100 million contribution to the United Nations High Commission for Refugees to support the critical relief activities in Syria and the surrounding area.