A missing MP, Canadian culture and bumbling bureaucrats headlined the final local appearance of the candidates for the June 28 federal election. A capacity audience listened attentively to the five representatives at the Sechelt Chamber of Commerce all-candidates' luncheon on Tuesday.
As was the case at two previous all-candidates' forums, incumbent Conservative MP John Reynolds was a no-show. However, on this occasion, Reynolds' campaign manager Gord Politeski spoke on his behalf.
Politeski defended Reynolds' record of responding to voters concerns. He said Reynolds lives in Gibsons and is available on weekends to his constituents. According to Politeski, a Conservative victory would result in a cabinet position for Reynolds.
"Reynolds works his butt off," Politeski said.
The other candidates promised various ways of staying in constant touch should their bids be successful. Blair Wilson of the Liberal party would have satellite offices throughout the riding and be available for set hours each day for constituents' concerns.
NDP candidate Nicholas Simons scored points with the audience when he said the MP needs to be a voice for everyone, not just the squeaky wheels. Simons said the representative of the area needs to be on top of local concerns.
The audience laughed at Simons' remark that he needed to "get all my answers in before I go to West Van and nobody will have any questions for me."
The Green Party's Andrea Goldsmith spoke again about her party's promise of fiscal and environmental responsibility. Marc Bombois of the Canadian Action Party spoke again on his party's two-point platform. The end of NAFTA and a change in the role of the Bank of Canada are Bombois' passions. He calls the present banking system in Canada fundamentally undemocratic and questions why the private banks print 90 per cent of the money in circulation in the county.
Several questions from the audience touched hot buttons among the candidates. In response to a query about First Nations land claims, Simons said the problem with the current process is there are too many lawyers involved. The NDP hopeful works for the Sechelt Indian Band.
Bombois said his party would guarantee free education to First Nations youth and later expanded that to include all Canadians.The CBC also sparked controversy with the speakers. The Conservatives are in favour of leaving funding for CBC radio, but TV is open for discussion.
Wilson said we need the CBC radio and TV, the CRTC and the Canadian Film Board to preserve Canadian culture.
Goldsmith said we must maintain culture as is.
Simons, a cello player, considers himself an artist and is adamant Canadian culture be preserved.
Bombois also spoke in favour of CBC funding.
One young woman highlighted a personal immigration nightmare. Her New Zealand-born husband has been trying to immigrate to Canada for the past several months. Bureaucratic snarls have proved frustrating.
Politeski said the West Van Conservative office was checking into the matter and will assist the woman wherever possible. All the other candidates agreed immigration is essential for the country, and the process needs to be streamlined.
The June 22 forum at the Driftwood Inn was the fourth meeting of the candidates held on the Sunshine Coast.
