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Powell River-Sunshine Coast candidates outline election topics (VIDEO)

Riding constituents go to the polls on October 24
Powell River-Sunshine Coast riding provincial election candidates
CAMPAIGN TRAIL: Powell River-Sunshine Coast riding provincial election candidates [from left] Kim Darwin, Nicholas Simons and Sandra Stoddart-Hansen recently took part in a physically distanced all-candidates meeting in Powell River. Paul Galinski photo

With the provincial general election scheduled for October 24, the three candidates running in the Powell River-Sunshine Coast constituency were interviewed by the Peak about issues they say are important to Powell River. In last week’s publication, the candidates addressed ferries and forestry. The following are the candidates’ thoughts on other Powell River topics.

Food security is important, according to BC Green candidate Kim Darwin. She said if just half of the unused agricultural land reserve land was used in BC, it would create 8,000 sustainable jobs.

“Here in Powell River, I know we have loads and loads of small farmers, so we need to make it easier on farmers to provide the food security for our communities,” said Darwin. “Not only does that create jobs, it creates healthier food and it helps us increase our food security.”

Supporting the processing of agricultural products locally is important as well, according to Darwin.

She said property values make it cost prohibitive for some of the younger farmers, so the Greens want to create a publicly owned agricultural land bank so there can be leases for new farmers. She said the average age of farmers in BC is about 65 and there is a lack of succession planning.

She said the Greens would also restrict foreign ownership of ALR land.

Localizing food production also cuts down on greenhouse gas emissions, said Darwin.

“It’s kind of a no-brainer to invest in something we do three times a day,” she added.

A topic that is important everywhere is housing affordability, said Darwin.

“It is a massive topic that affects every segment of society,” she added. Her regular job is working as a mortgage broker so she said she has seen firsthand how the increase in the cost of properties has negatively affected every demographic.

She said she co-founded an organization on the lower Sunshine Coast called the workforce affordable housing society, where they are working toward building housing where rents will be 30 per cent of people’s incomes.

“That allows us to still continue to have younger people in our communities,” said Darwin. “It creates more sustainable communities.”

Darwin said many solutions can be adopted for a strong and healthier economy.

“Honestly, it’s a matter of political will,” she said. “Looking at other jurisdictions and best practices, we do not need to recreate the wheel. There’s so much that we can do.”

New Democratic Party candidate Nicholas Simons said when he thinks of priorities, it is vital to continue to ensure there is a strong public health-care system.

“The evidence of its importance to a community has never been more clear,” said Simons.

He said the government, and the NDP, during the election, have made commitments toward capital expenditures on health care.

“That includes hospitals, primary care centres, and even a medical school, which was announced October 13,” said Simons. “That’s pretty exciting for British Columbia. I think everyone is realizing the importance of public services.”

Investment in infrastructure is important and Simons said he is looking forward to seeing how the province may benefit from that.

Simons added that working around issues of reconciliation is also important.

“We’ve made some good strides towards establishing strong relationships that are social and cultural and economic, which we’ll continue to do,” said Simons.

He said he thinks Tla’amin Nation, City of Powell River and qathet Regional District can be proud of the efforts they have made for many years with the community accord and subsequent relationship building activities.

“I want to make sure that all parties see the importance of working together,” he added. “Other communities have learned through what Powell River and Tla’amin have done.”

Access to education is an important issue, said Simons. He said it’s one of the key components of the NDP strategy. He said they introduced a grant program for students, who can get up to $4,000 a year. He said interest on student loans was also eliminated.

Increasing capacity in apprenticeship programs is also part of the strategy, making sure there are red seal apprenticeship programs.

“Powell River situates itself well in that regard,” said Simons.

He said the main issue for Powell River residents and BC is to continue to manage the health emergency and support families and the economy as ways are found toward the recovery.

He said the government was managing the economy well and delivered three balanced budgets.

“Our approach to the pandemic is entirely based upon science and medicine,” said Simons. “Our plans for recovery are based on what’s best for individuals, families and communities. I don’t see a change in our approach. It’s good to have long-term strategies for the province.

“The direction that has been set needs to be followed and I want to help influence the policies and their direction. I want to help our coastal communities, our rural communities, our isolated communities.”

A local issue that BC Liberal candidate Sandra Stoddart-Hansen would want to pay attention to is Highway 101, from north of Powell River to Lund.

“I’ve driven it a few times and it is really in very bad shape,” said Stoddart-Hansen. “It has gone past the point of resurfacing. It needs a major overhaul. I would certainly want to make sure that got on the agenda for attention in the transportation portfolio. The road is very poor in places.

“I was really surprised how derelict that highway is. It needs some serious attention. It needs to be completely rehabilitated.”

On the educational side, Stoddart-Hansen said she spent a delightful time during the campaign in a teleconference with teacher Rebecca Harrison’s grade six class at Edgehill Elementary School.

“It was lovely,” said Stoddart-Hansen. “They had a mock vote and they told me they wouldn’t tell me the results of the vote until after the election, but they came forward with three really thoughtful questions.

“I’m just so thrilled that the teacher and that school are making public elections interesting for kids. I just thought it was great. They’ll get to vote and count their votes and see who they would pick as the MLA for the riding. I really commend Ms. Harrison and I think it’s amazing for kids to be interested and come up with such good questions.”

All three candidates took part in an all-candidates meeting in Powell River on October 14, which was originally broadcast live on the Peak’s Facebook page. Below is a video of that meeting in its entirety.