Two dolphins and an eagle took to the stage at Evergreen Theatre for Powell River Chamber of Commerce’s all-candidates forum on Monday, April 24.
In a moment of levity during an otherwise serious discussion, the three participating candidates were asked what animal they would be if they could choose. Green Party candidate Kim Darwin and New Democratic Party candidate Nicholas Simons said a dolphin, while BC Liberal Party candidate Mathew Wilson chose an eagle.
Approximately 220 Powell River voters attended the evening forum, moderated by Dan De Vita. Change was continually highlighted throughout the evening.
Darwin said change means breaking what she calls BC’s “dysfunctional relationship” between the New Democratic Party and BC Liberals. Simons said it means replacing a provincial government that does not put people first in its decisions. Wilson said it means electing a local representative who is a better advocate in Victoria for development in Powell River.
During the forum, the issue of ferry service was highlighted as a key concern.
Northern Sunshine Coast Ferry Advisory Committee member Karen Skadsheim asked candidates whether or not the Coastal Ferry Act would be reopened to include community need as a principle for service levels.
Wilson said, if elected, he would push to have discussion on the ferry act reopened.
“I don’t have a problem opening up the contract to better support our local community,” he said.
Darwin told the audience the Green Party would dramatically alter how BC Ferries operates.
“We would bring BC Ferries back under the government and run it like the marine highway that it is is,” she said.
Simons said that since 2003 he has spoken to every BC minister of transportation about the community’s problems with local ferry service.
“They don’t listen,” he said. “We need to make sure we get a government that listens to the people.”
On the issue of housing affordability and availability, Darwin said the Greens would commit to putting $750 million into building low-cost housing throughout the province.
“We’re also going to introduce incentives for the construction of new builds or the conversion of existing properties to rentals,” she said.
Wilson said many people have told him affordable housing in Powell River is at a crisis level.
“This is a problem that should have started to be addressed 10 years ago,” he said. “The riding needs an MLA who is going to work with local governments to ensure purpose-built rentals are constructed in Powell River. We need someone who will take this issue on and who is actually delivering results for Powell River.”
Simons said the answer to the housing question is complex and would require more time than the one minute he was allocated to answer it.
“The answer is very complicated, but one of the first things we’re going to do is commit to building 114,000 low-cost rental and co-op housing units in BC, and the Sunshine Coast will obviously get its share,” he said.
City of Powell River councillor Jim Palm asked the candidates what their first priorities will be if their party forms government.
Wilson said his first priority will be to ensure he was advocating for infrastructure dollars from the province to improve highways and ferries.
“Those are the two areas I’d tackle right away,” he said. “They’re critically important to small business and tourism.”
Darwin said she will focus on planning for jobs for the future.
“The jobs we have today and the ones we’re going to have tomorrow are likely going to be different,” she said. ”We have to be planning for the future jobs and I don’t think that’s been done very effectively.”
Simons said the first thing he would do is say, “Thank goodness the nightmare is over.”
He said his priority will be to improve how the provincial government provides services for families and children.
“It’s not necessarily a local issue,” he said, “but it’s one that affects us all.”
