Name: Graydon Pelley
Age: 55
Party affiliation (provincial and federal): Newfoundland and Labrador Alliance; federal: none
Email: [email protected]
Telephone: 709-636-8326
Website: nlalliance.ca
Q. Do you believe there is more that can be done to combat climate change in Newfoundland and Labrador? Explain.
A. Absolutely. It is our responsibility to take care of our Earth, not just for ourselves, but for future generations. We must continue to educate our residents to always be cognizant of the importance of “reducing, reusing and recycling.” I believe we need more emphasis on reducing the amount of waste from residential as well as commercial properties. We must promote the importance of clean energy and support entrepreneurs who are starting businesses that create products using clean energy. Companies can help combat climate change by purchasing carbon credits to offset their carbon footprint, allowing them to be carbon neutral. Newfoundland and Labrador must invest more resources in clean energy exploration and use incentives to get others involved in doing the same.
Q. What is your primary legislative priority should you be elected?
A. As a member of the House of Assembly, my primary legislative priority is to bring forward a motion to begin the process of true electoral reform. We must change the way we do politics in this province. We must allow all elected officials to have a voice and vote freely on issues that affect the people of Newfoundland and Labrador. All voters in this province expect their elected MHA to be their representative and voice in the House of Assembly. We must make decisions with the interests of people in mind first, rather than a political party. I believe it is through true collaboration, with all elected officials, that the right decisions will be made.
Q. With the death rate exceeding the birth rate, outmigration remaining prominent and an aging population, what is your top priority to address demographic challenges in Newfoundland and Labrador?
A. My top priority to address demographic challenges is to promote this province as a great place to live and raise a family. We must support our post-secondary educational institutions and students in helping them find employment within our province upon graduation. Providing incentives, such as student debt reduction and/or tax breaks for those who will commit to years of service within the province, is a good place to start. International students who choose our educational institutions for training should be offered incentives to settle in our province. In order to convince Newfoundlanders and Labradoreans to stay in the province and to attract others to come, we have to find ways to reduce the cost of living, the amount of taxes and the amount of bureaucracy that hinders entrepreneurs from within and outside the province from starting and succeeding. Immigration will play an important role in growing and maintaining a healthy population for our province. We must have the proper supports in place to help with their transition to our province.
Q. Are changes needed to the existing tax system in Newfoundland and Labrador? If so, what specifically should change?
A. Newfoundlanders and Labradoreans pay some of the highest taxes in the country. In fact, many are taxed to the point of financial ruin. Winston Churchill is credited as saying, “For a nation to tax itself into prosperity is like a man standing in a bucket and trying to lift himself up by the handle.” The only way we are going to be able to reduce taxes is to reduce our spending. If we continue spending, our debt continues to grow, and our taxation levels stay at some of the highest in the country.
Q. Do you have any conflicts of interest that would need to be addressed upon entering the House of Assembly?
A. There are no conflicts of interest that would hinder me from entering the House of Assembly.
