CREDIT: Dan Janisse, Star photo VIEWS: The crowd listens to the Windsor and District Chamber of Commerce meet the candidates event Wednesday.

Federal election candidates in local ridings squared off for the first time Wednesday night at a Windsor and District Chamber of Commerce meet the candidates event.

Representatives of the Liberal, NDP, Green and Conservative parties answered five questions relating to issues important to the chamber at the Ciociaro Club.

"The Liberal government is committed to a new border crossing," said Windsor West Liberal candidate Werner Keller in response to a question on border infrastructure policy.

But Windsor West NDP MP Brian Masse said the Liberals are not investing sufficiently and have made hollow promises and have yet to spend the $300 million they pledged.

"Of that $300 million, only a pittance has already been spent," said Masse.

Essex Conservative MP Jeff Watson said a Conservative government would move quickly on the border file and the recommendations of the Detroit River International Crossing Study (DRIC).

"Stephen Harper will swiftly implement its recommendations," he said.

Green party Windsor West candidate Jillana Bishop said her party does not support a ring road through the Ojibway nature area.

"These are the last environmentally protected lands we have in this county," said Bishop.

Health care and the preservation of medicare was the subject of another question.

"As Liberals we believe no one should have to pull out their wallet to see a doctor," said Essex Liberal candidate Susan Whelan.

But Masse, the only NDP candidate to attend the meeting, said the Liberals aren't living up to their commitments.

"They have slowly strangled the system so people will be accepting of other alternatives," said Masse.

Windsor-Tecumseh Conservative candidate Rick Fuschi reiterated his party's policy on wait times for publicly funded care.

"The Liberal status quo is not an alternative," said Fuschi.

Essex Green party candidate James McVeity said his party is committed to preserving public health care.

Candidates were also asked about financial policy and tax cuts.

"We wouldn't be having this debate at all if it weren't for the economic stewardship of Paul Martin as finance minister," said Windsor-Tecumseh Liberal candidate Bruck Easton.

Masse said the NDP would not cut taxes and Windsor West Conservative candidate Al Teshuba said his party would cut taxes for small business.

"The Liberal and NDP coalition will continue to do what they do because they never met a tax they didn't like," said Teshuba.