Close to 100 people filled the Italian Hall in Port Alberni on Tuesday night to listen to all six of the Mid Island Pacific Rim candidates speak to questions asked from audience members.
The candidates, Julian Fell (BC Conservatives), Robert Clarke (BC Libertarian), Scott Fraser (NDP), Darren DeLuca (BC Liberals), Dan Cebuliak (BC ReFed) and Alicia La Rue (BC Greens) had the opportunity to say a quick opening statement prior to audience engagement.
La Rue opened her statement by touching on the mismanagement of resources in the riding, raw log exports being undervalued and the Greens’ vision for a sustainable future. Cebuliak began by speaking on his vision of direct democracy and the BC ReFed proposing a BC constitution. In his opening remarks, DeLuca mentioned commitments he’s secured since his nomination was announced on March 11 for the Alberni Valley including $100,000 for a business plan for the Alberni Valley Aquatic Centre and updates to Cathedral Grove parking area.
Fraser began by touching on the unfairness of the rise in ICBC, BC Hydro and BC Ferry rates and said an NDP government would increase funding by $100 a month for people with disabilities. Clarke kept his opening remarks short by saying he is a family man and he aims to appeal the carbon tax and bring local jobs to the riding. Fell began by saying that the BC Conservative party has no connection to the Ottawa Conservatives and that the party believes in prudent and transparent financial management.
The first audience question was regarding the parties’ positions on the federal government’s announcement of legalizing recreational marijuana.
Fraser said the BC NDP have sent members of their team to Oregon and Washington to investigate the legalization issue. He said it is important to learn how to keep marijuana out of the hands of children.
“We don’t have all the answers yet,” he said. “It’s important we get information from jurisdictions that have already done this.”
DeLuca answered by saying that the legal age to possess marijuana should be 19 and that it should only be sold in restricted areas.
La Rue said the BC Green Party is looking into studies that talk about marijuana use on young developing minds.
Another question was asked how the candidates and their parties would alleviate student debt.
“It’s not fair, it’s not productive. The Liberal government allowed (student) fees to triple, the highest interest rates on student loans in the country,” Fraser said. “We would take away interest on student loans…and supply a $1,000 cheque at graduation to help pay down loans.”
DeLuca mentioned the BC Liberals’ BC Access Grant for trade students and their loan forgiveness program for recent graduates in select in-demand occupations.
A 12-year-old girl asked all the candidates what they planned for education in Port Alberni.
Cebuliak said that education for youth is very important and that a price could not be put on education.
Fell answered by saying he believes parents have the best judgment on how to educate their own children. “Conservatives will make it possible for parents to make more decisions,” he said.
DeLuca said in 2017/2018 the BC Liberals will invest $5.9 billion on public education.
Fraser said the NDP would fund $30 million for classroom supplies and La Rue said the BC Greens have a platform to invest $35 million into nutrition and physical activity plans. Clarke said his party would like to see more choice in where money is allocated.
Port Alberni city councillor Jack McLeman asked the candidates their thoughts on an LNG plant and a transshipment hub (PATH) the Port Alberni Port Authority would like to bring to Port Alberni.
“I think PATH is very good,” said DeLuca, a past director with the port authority. “It is a $1.8 billion project that would create over 400 jobs.” He also said that clean LNG is a good thing to support.
Fell said if the projects are profitable then he supports them but that he would want to see a business plan first to see how taxpayers would be affected.
LaRue said Greens do not support LNG and that the price of LNG is dropping significantly. She said they do support PATH but wants to learn more.
Members of the public will have an opportunity to view a live-to-tape public debate between some of the Mid Island Pacific Rim candidates on Shaw TV this week. The debate, moderated by David Wiwchar of PEAK FM, was taped last Friday. Tentative airing times, according to Wiwchar, are Wednesday, April 26 at 5 p.m. (prior to the News’ print deadline), Thursday, April 27 at 8 p.m.; Friday, April 28 at 12 p.m., Saturday, April 29 at 7 p.m. and Sunday, April 30 at 3 p.m.
karly.blats@albernivalleynews.com
