WL Federal All Candidates Forum

With Monday's Federal Election Vote - a packed house came out to hear from the candidates which was co-sponsored by the WL and District Chamber of Commerce and the Northern BC Real Estate Board

All parties were represented including the Conservatives, Liberals, Greens, NDP, Christian Heritage Party, Apolitical candidate Gordon Campbell and Independent Sheldon Clare

MC (and WL City Councillor) Jason Ryll had his hands full keeping control of the meeting when Apolitical Candidate Gordon Campbell (no relation to former BC Premier Gordon Campbell) became rude at times and the crowd groaned at his many verbal outbursts

After a initial 2 minute opening statement by all candidates.  Questions asked included:

* Integrity of a Member of Parliament

* TPP (Trans-Pacific Partnership)

* Protection of Agriculture Land/Supply Management

* First Nations Health/Education and Youth

* Softwood Lumber Agreement

* Economic Development Policies

* Personal taxation Environment

* Small Business Policies

* Environmental Policies

I personally asked Conservative Todd Doherty, Trent Derrick of the NDP and Tracy Calogheros of the Liberals in regards to local government grants, particularly for Regional Districts (like the Cariboo Regional District) which is increasingly taking on more private water systems and don't have the financial backing of Ottawa because infrastructure grants were designed for urban settings and not rural ones.  Particularly in light of Mountview wanting to have a community water system and being rejected by Ottawa 3 consecutive times that the CRD has applied for a grant.  All Candidates concurred infrastructure grants must work for ALL local governments and not just urban ones...

Then a 3 minute closing statement was given by all candidates

While there is no change of Gordon Campbell being elected Monday - it seemed to me that the race really came down to Trent Derrick (NDP) vs Todd Doherty (Conservative)

We'll see Monday night if Mr. Derrick or Mr. Doherty will be the new MP for Cariboo-Prince George

~SF