Not even a torrential downpour could dampen election fever in the capacity crowd attending the all-candidates' meeting in Gibsons last Thursday (Jan. 12) when more than 200 people came out to hear political hopefuls give their platforms.
Liberal candidate Blair Wilson, who almost defeated longstanding MP Conservative John Reynolds in the 2004 election, began the debate by hammering Conservative values. He called the Conservative policies "a made-in-the-U.S.A. approach."
After saying he believes in Ken Dryden's early childhood program, Wilson slammed the Conservative's proposed childcare solution as an initiative that would take back $633 million promised to B.C., leaving families here with "$1 a day to raise their families."
"Do you believe in a Canada where everyone fends for themselves?" Wilson asked the voters.
John Weston, the Conser-vative candidate, was quick to raise the spectre of the Gomery Inquiry and the other scandals that have dogged the Liberals over the past few years.
Weston faulted the Liberals' childcare program as a bloated program that's grown from $5 million to $11 million. A big concern of Weston's is crime. He said Vancouver has become the crime capital of North America. While he spoke of practical solutions to the problem, time restraints didn't allow for elaboration.
Weston took a potshot at the NDP party, saying NDP leader Jack Layton propped up a corrupt government for months."We won't be perfect, but we will be accountable," Weston told the crowd.
Silvaine Zimmermann of the Green Party told the audience, "If you really want change, here I am." And while she acknowledged the Green Party's chances of forming government were small, she said because the next party to gain power could very well be a minority government, if elected, she would be happy to work with anyone for the good of Canada. "Unfortunately if I were to get elected none of these [other candidates] would be in government with me. Unless they went to work for me," Zimmermann lamented to the delight of the voters.
Zimmermann expressed disgust with a "vicious email campaign trying to discount the Green Party." She said the party remained true to its main concern, the environment - "the foundation of our life."
Zimmermann said Green is a way that appeals to peoples from all walks of life, and she urged the audience to give the party a chance.
Anne Jamieson of the Marxist-Leninist Party drew the only negative feedback from the audience when some members urged her to stay on topic with the questions asked. Jamieson gave several rambling discourses on health care and talked about her concern for immigrant women and peace. She chided the Liberals for allowing Canada to take part in the Iraq war. "We need to elect a government that will get rid of NORAD, one that does not support U.S. wars of aggression," she said.NDP candidate Judith Wilson said this election is about a lot of things, some not very pleasant to bring up. "Serious scandals, a lot of money went sideways. The public's role is to pass judgment on politicians," she said. "This is an opportunity to punish the Liberals for their misconduct without turning your back on the values we hold dear," is what she termed the election of an NDP government would be.
She talked about the party's history of social justice and compassion. She said medical care is the chief issue in the election today. As the founders of Canada's universal medical program, Wilson doesn't want to see it changed.
The environment, the Kyoto protocol, peacekeeping and other world roles are important to the NDP, she said.
The candidates addressed several questions from the audience. Of those asked, GST, Kyoto and including the sale of water under NAFTA drew the most debate. Weston defended the Conservatives' plan to knock two percentage points off the GST as a way of putting more money in the pockets of the people.
Blair Wilson called the plan "incredibly ill-conceived, a great benefit to the rich." He said what Canadians need is tax cuts to "put money in their jeans."
Zimmermann drew another laugh from the crowd with her comment that the GST process needs simplifying.
"Dealing with the bloody GST - it's really horrible," she complained.
Judith Wilson said the NDP would not trade two per cent off the GST for reduced health care.
None of the candidates were in favour of having water included as a commodity under NAFTA and most favoured Kyoto, although Weston said the Conservatives plan to invest in science and improve on Kyoto.
The candidates all expressed their support for the aquatic centre in Sechelt and the ice-based community centre in Gibsons approved in a Coast-wide referendum last June. Both Blair Wilson and Weston have met with civic politicians to get a better handle on what's needed from Ottawa.
The Liberal candidate, if elected, plans to set up virtual constituency offices in every centre in the riding. He would be available for two hours each day, five days a week, for consultation, an idea the other candidates appeared to be open to as well.
The level of interest in the meeting was apparent throughout, with many people staying after adjournment to meet with the candidates.
