With the provincial election just weeks away, leaders of BC’s three main parties are front and centre, making promises and criticizing plans of their opponents.
While Green leader Sonia Furstenau, NDP leader John Horgan and Liberal leader Andrew Wilkinson provide daily soundbites province-wide, eligible voters in the Powell River area will hear from the three confirmed candidates in the Powell River-Sunshine Coast riding during a live streaming, all-candidates meeting (facebook.com/PowellRiverPeak) on October 14.
The online gathering hosted by Powell River Chamber of Commerce will be far different than events in previous years, which took place in Evergreen Theatre, you know, back in the “old normal” days. Emotions may not be on display from those who attend virtually, waiting for their questions to be answered, but Kim Darwin, (Greens), Nicholas Simons (NDP), and Sandra Stoddart-Hansen (Liberals) will be in the same room, fielding questions sent to the chamber prior to a noon deadline. Hearing from three people who live and work in the riding will be a refreshing reprieve from the onslaught of negative rhetoric and (yawn) promises delivered at the provincial level.
Let’s hope the three local MLA wannabes have some lively, productive exchanges; it all comes down to the questions.
COVID-19 is dominating nearly every aspect of life, from school safety and employment to travel and economic recovery. It is the biggest issue, but not the only one.
Will anyone ask about ferry service? Westview/Little River, Westview/Blubber Bay, even the two routes to Vancouver have their issues.
How about affordable housing, seniors care, ICBC rates?
Pick your poison and ask away. What will your question be?
