All four provincial candidates in the Fraser-Nicola riding were in Ashcroft on Monday, April 24 for an all-candidates forum hosted by the Ashcroft-Cache Creek Rotary Club. Each candidate had an opportunity to make opening and closing remarks and then answers questions from the audience.
About 60 people were there to hear Arthur Green (Green Party), Michael Henshall (Social Credit), Harry Lali (NDP), and Jackie Tegart (Liberal Party) discuss issues of relevance to Fraser-Nicola and rural communities. Moderator Monty Downs and timekeeper Ron Hood did a good job keeping things running smoothly.
The luck of the draw saw Henshall go first with opening remarks. “I was asked to run. We need representation for the people. I see a need out there; people I know say things are getting tighter and tighter. I have pensioners calling me saying they can’t afford their rent. I’m prepared to fight for the people of Fraser-Nicola.”
Lali said voters have a choice between an incumbent with a record and a former cabinet minister with a long record. “It’s not about getting a friend or neighbour elected,” he said, adding that he had tremendous respect for Tegart. “This building [the HUB] was a school at the last all-candidates forum. The NDP will restore public services and make life more affordable. You need an outspoken MLA who will speak out for you. I ask you to send a strong voice to Victoria.”
Tegart said she ran in 2013 on a platform of jobs, the economy, and fiscal responsibility. “I’m proud to say that B.C. is number one in job creation in Canada, that we have the strongest economy in Canada. I believe the next four years will again be about jobs, the economy, and in particular support for rural B.C. I’m excited about the opportunities for Fraser-Nicola. I’ve delivered to this riding. We’ve had support for Historic Hat Creek Ranch, we support small groups in the communities, the McAbee Fossil Beds.”
Green said he had committed himself to running in provincial politics because of the ill-conceived economic policy in regards to mass mineral and energy extraction, and the degradation of the environment by the current provincial government. “The economic engine of the province should be driven by a policy of commitment to cleaner, renewable energy systems. I’m committed, as an elected MLA, to hold any government in power accountable, and not overlook the concerns of the constituents of Fraser-Nicola.”
The floor was then opened to questions from the audience. Each candidate was asked what he or she would do about Site C, with Tegart in favour of it, Green saying the Green Party would cancel it, Lali saying the NDP would have to look at the legal ramifications of cancelling the project, and Henshall saying a review of the project was needed.
The next question asked if the candidates felt that public education is important, why, and how their party would support it. Green said that education was the number one plank in the party’s platform, and that the Green Party is committed to spending $2.1 billion on education over the next four years. Lali noted that the NDP built 198 schools during their time in power, and that the Liberals have closed 278 schools in the last 16 years. “It’s been proven over and over that the more educated a workforce is, the higher the standard of living.”
Tegart noted that she had been a school board trustee for 17 years. “Education is close to my heart. B.C. is recognized worldwide for the quality of our education. I know we’re challenged, but we can’t afford to run half-empty schools.” Henshall noted that he grew up in a family of educators, and said that in regards to rural education, “The agenda of the current government seems to be to squeeze out rural residents.”
Health care was a recurring issue, with one questioner asking how the candidates would save health care in rural communities, another asking why the costs are much higher for someone taking post-secondary courses in health care as opposed to business, and another asking how we can get more doctors in rural communities.
Green said that it was crucial to stop trained medical professionals from leaving B.C. for elsewhere because they could make more money outside the province, and added that more regional centres, in places such as Ashcroft and Hope, were important. He also said that increasing the supply of doctors would help, perhaps by paying for their education and then getting a commitment from them to work in B.C.
Henshall said that it was important to look at where dollars are being wasted in the health care system, and direct more money to the front line. He liked Green’s idea of providing incentives for doctors to work here, and said a discussion needed to be had with health care professionals, asking them what it would take to get them to rural communities.
Lali said that the Liberals have made cuts to public services such as health care to finance “massive tax giveaways” to business, which in turn has led to families moving away from rural communities. He cited a need to get rid of the red tape that prevents doctors from working here, and that savings had to be made to train more health care practitioners: “We need to cut the fat from the top of Interior Health.”
Tegart said that the practice-ready assessment program had provided two more doctors to both Ashcroft and Logan Lake, and that the Liberals were looking at “forgiveness programs” that would help health care professionals deal with debt, as well as training that would encourage people to come to rural communities. She also noted that health care was the number one priority of the rural caucus, of which she was a part.
A question about recycling—which all the candidates supported—led to discussion of the Cache Creek landfill, with Green noting the fly-ash and leakage at the site and calling it a sign that the landfill had been “grossly mismanaged”. Tegart took issue with this stance, stating that the landfill in Cache Creek was first class, and had provided 200 jobs for 20 years. Lali said there was a need to create breakdown facilities, and embrace clean and green technology.
A written question addressed to Henshall asked why he was running in Fraser-Nicola when he does not live in the riding, and Henshall clarified that he does indeed live here, in Hope.
Lali was asked why voters should support him when his party does not, and he replied that party leaders do not pick candidates, constituents do, and he had won their support in getting the nomination. “The NDP is from the ground up, not from the top down.”
The final question was about giving Crown Land back to First Nations. Green said that the Green Party has a very special relationship with First Nations, and would speak with them nation to nation. Henshall noted overlapping land claims and said it is an ongoing issue, with government needing to sit down with all the parties and work it out.
Lali said First Nations people would agree that overlapping claims need to be settled, but that you can’t turn back the clock. Tegart said that reconciliation is something we need to accomplish, but added that reconciliation looks different to everyone. She agreed that treaties are taking too long, but said the government has interim agreements with many bands.
In closing, Green noted the diverse population of the riding and said highway infrastructure was of key importance. He also added that solar farms, the film industry, and getting more tourists up the Fraser Canyon would help the area, and that we need to take a scientific approach to bio-solids. “We need to become the designers of our own future.”
Tegart responded to Lali’s charges that she was “invisible” and “missing in action” by citing the many meetings she attended with local governments, First Nations, businesses, and community groups, adding that you could count on the fingers of one hand the number of times she has not been in Victoria when the legislature was in session. “I’m not invisible, I’m just doing the work. I’m working for you, and I love the job.”
Lali said he doesn’t believe in promises, he believes in commitments, and made a personal commitment that the first priority of his, if the NDP forms government, would be to make the Ashcroft Hospital a pilot project and bring back 24/7 emergency care. “I’m energetic, I’ve got passion, I love public service, and I work to deliver the goods.”
Henshall said he sees incredible potential in Fraser-Nicola for tourism, the film industry, agriculture, and natural resources, but added that infrastructure and transportation development is needed. “We’ll put British Columbians first.”