There are three candidates represented in the West Kelowna-Peachland riding for the Oct. 19 provincial election - only one of them showed up for a public forum, on Wednesday (Oct. 2) night.
It was Stephen Johnston, running as an Independent, who fielded questions meant for all candidates from the Greater Westside Board of Trade and Peachland Chamber of Commerce (GWBT).
Executive director Heather Robinson told reporters, after the forum, that all candidates were invited. She said B.C. Conservative candidate Macklin McCall declined to participate, adding he is concentrating on door-knocking for the rest of the campaign.
During candidate introductions someone in the crowd said B.C. NDP candidate Krystal Smith was ill and unable to attend. Black Press Media received an email from someone responding on SmithB次元官网网址檚 behalf, when it requested a one-on-one video interview with the candidate on Sept. 25, also stating she was ill.
Johnston, the former B.C. United candidate for the riding, was asked about his opponents' no-show.
B次元官网网址淚n this election, itB次元官网网址檚 really about choosing the best candidate to represent you,B次元官网网址� he said. "So I invite people to research the candidatesB次元官网网址rust their gut and make a decision they feel is right for them and their community.B次元官网网址�
With only one candidate to answer questions, the crowd of more than 300 people listened to Johnston speak for 30 minutes about housing, property rights, healthcare, investment and job creation, tourism, homelessness, crime and drug use.
Johnston drew applause from the crowd several times including for a comment that drug decriminalization in B.C. needs to end.
B次元官网网址淓nabling people isnB次元官网网址檛 helping and weB次元官网网址檙e seeing the evidence of that in our communities, and safe supply is not safe,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淭hat might not be popular with everyone, but thatB次元官网网址檚 what I believe.B次元官网网址�
Johnston said he believes the province needs to pursue treatment and recovery, even where involuntary care is necessary for people who have complex mental health needs.
B次元官网网址淭hat sometimes rubs some people the wrong way but the truth of the matter is we have people who are a danger to themselves and others and we canB次元官网网址檛 continue to allow this to happen.B次元官网网址�
During closing comments, Johnston said he believes a balanced perspective has been removed from the campaign.
B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檝e said youB次元官网网址檙e either going to get this polarized option or that. I donB次元官网网址檛 think thatB次元官网网址檚 right and I donB次元官网网址檛 think thatB次元官网网址檚 representative of where British Columbia is at.B次元官网网址�
He then told the audience that with so many independents running there is an opportunity in this election that voters have never had before.
B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e free as Independents to move through our community, IB次元官网网址檓 accountable to you and therefore the government is going to be accountable to me on your behalf.B次元官网网址�
