In the fourth installment of questioning federal candidates running in the Foothills riding, we asked about their party's plan for new trade opportunities in the area of agriculture and they came up with the following answers.

Romy Tittel, Green Party:

"First of all on international trades we're totally opposed to the TPP and I'm very glad that the Alberta Milk Producers basically threw a wrench in that system and didn't allow for that to be signed off before this election was called. We are very keen on opening up trade routes but it has to be fair trade routes and it's not just fair from one side of the equation it's for both sides of the equation. We have to really be careful and make sure that our agricultural industries get treated fairly. The trade barriers between provinces, that's an ongoing thing in Canada on so many levels that we have to start being able to work across Canada much more easily. We have more barriers in Canada than we have from other countries so this is something that's really important for Canada to take a big, firm stance on is making sure we can work well within Canada."

Marc Slingerland, Christian Heritage Party:

"The TPP is obviously a big part for that. It's opened great markets for grain and cattle and we applaud the Conservatives for having finalized that. The interprovincial trade barriers, that's something that a first ministers meeting needs to take a look at. Unfortunately that's something that the Conservative government has done rather poorly on, they've left it up to provinces on their own. There hasn't been a first ministers meeting in years so just getting that conversation going, sitting down with all of the stakeholders at the table. We're doing a better job on trade with foreign countries than we are within our own country and that absolutely needs to change."

Alison Thompson, NDP:

"We want more trade but we need to read the fine print. There are protections that have been put in place that we've enjoyed for decades or for longer than that in this riding and across the country and the idea that we open all of our doors and trade, trade, trade that's not good for everybody. So we want to do trade as an aggressive as a way we can but we need to read the fine print. I think one of the things that's come out in the news recently is this idea of bulk exports of water, we're not doing such a good job with our own water for us so the idea that we're going to take the last remaining pure water, the glaciers are all obviously receding and the watersheds are changing because of climate change and that we're now going to be committed to things like bulk water exports, I don't think that's okay for any Canadian. You'll be living here in the Foothills and keeping in mind that Foothills is really the beginning to many water sheds that flow both to the north and to the east in Canada it's not just about the water we're drinking we're actually in most cases providing water for other provinces and even down to the states."

John Barlow, Conservative:

"In 2006 Canada had free trade agreements with about six countries, over the last ten years we now have free trade agreements with over 40 different countries. One of our top priorities has been opening markets to Canadian products and that's been developing free trade agreements whether it's with South Korea, The European Union, now we're working with the Trans-Pacific-Partnership and these are going to be outstanding opportunities for Canadian businesses and our Canadian agriculture sector."

Tanya MacPherson, Liberal:

"The Liberals have always been supporters of free trade agreements and things like that, exporting industries pay 50 percent higher wages than non-trade industries so we've always been open to free trade with international markets and to grow Canadian goods and services. We're definitely going to be cooperating and looking for collaboration outside of the country and inside as well, doing our best to remove any road blocks to commerce."

Other candidates in the riding were contacted and unavailable for comment.

Questions, comments, or story ideas? Email us at news@okotoksonline.com

What is the top priority for you and your party should you be elected?

What do you believe is the main issue Foothills constituents are facing and how can it be fixed?

Why should Foothills residents vote for you and your party?