Oct 01, 2008 - 03:56 PM

By Jillian Follert

OSHAWA -- The City of Oshawa is putting local election candidates on the hot seat.

In an effort to make the waterfront a key campaign issue, each political hopeful in the Oshawa and Whitby-Oshawa ridings, has been asked to answer a series of 12 yes or no questions on the issue.

They include, "Do you support the construction of an ethanol plant at the proposed harbour location?" and, "Are you committed to fast-track the cleanup and the reconstruction of the marina/public boat launch within four years?"

The questions were drafted by City staff and members of council's Political Strategy Team (PST), a trio comprised of Mayor John Gray, Councillor Brian Nicholson and Councillor Nester Pidwerbecki.

"We want to put their feet to the fire," Coun. Nicholson said. "We want commitments and action, not general statements. We want to know what they will actually do, if elected."

Councillors and City staff welcomed the release of David Crombie's report on the future of the waterfront last month, but are concerned the federal government has not made any commitments to implement his recommendations or laid out time frames or funding promises.

The questionnaire was given to candidates Wednesday, with a deadline of this Friday for responses to be returned to the mayor's office.

The responses will be unveiled at a media conference Tuesday morning at the marina, where City officials will "score" the answers, depending on how closely they match the City's vision for the waterfront.

"Oshawa is joining the growing list of municipalities which are surveying federal candidates this election about local community issues", Mayor Gray said. "Given the roles both the federal government and the City of Oshawa share in revitalizing the Oshawa harbour, it is in everyone's best interest to articulate our positions as we move forward. This survey will serve as a helpful tool in determining the common ground the City already shares with each candidate and the areas that will require negotiation after the election."

For more information on the City's efforts to resurrect the waterfront, visit www.oshawa.ca/ourharbour.