It was clear that the more than 200 people who gathered in Evergreen Theatre for the provincial election all-candidates forum were there to hear how our next MLA will represent the interests of this community, not listen to party platform statements.
Every time one of the candidates mentioned anything specific to Powell River, the room immediately became engaged.
A lengthy question and answer period tackled local hot-button issues such as education, affordable housing, health, transportation and environmental policies, among other topics that matter to this community.
New Democratic Party candidate Nicholas Simons, BC Liberal Party candidate Mathew Wilson and BC Green Party candidate Kim Darwin all did a commendable job in relaying their party’s platform and tying them to local issues whenever possible, but is that enough?
Powell River-Sunshine Coast needs an MLA who will represent this region’s interests above all else, and those in the audience should have come out of the all-candidates forum with a clearer understanding of who they think that will be.
Referring to party platforms is not an effective way to address the needs of a community, and each of the three candidates participating in the forum lost the crowd’s interest when they leaned on their party notes.
Only when the candidates were able to address local issues and definitively answer the audience’s questions with emotion did they show they can stand up for us in Victoria.
It was easy to tell when the candidates on stage were being honest and speaking from the heart. You could feel it in your gut.
If a candidate gains your trust and makes you feel like they have your back, they should have your vote.
However, if elected, are they actually going to do what they say they are going to do? We have no way to tell if any party candidate will follow through on their promises; there are no guarantees in politics.
In the end, party platforms and election promises mean very little. What matters most is what kind of person do you want to vote for, and will they represent your best interests?
Jason Schreurs, publisher/editor
