Skeena-Bulkley Valley candidates faced a room with several empty seats during the all candidate’s debate in Burns Lake.
Approximately 39 people attended the event held at the Lakes District Secondary School on Sept. 28, 2015.
“I worry sometimes of the health of our democracy in this country,” said NDP Candidate Nathan Cullen.
Federal election candidates answered questions on issues ranging from liquefied natural gas (LNG), ISIS and the recent cutbacks at the College of New Caledonia (CNC).
Cullen took the time to comment on the current situation at the Lakes District CNC.
“What is going on with the college here is, and I want choose my words here carefully, but a travesty, that there are decisions being made in Prince George [and by the Ministry of Education] at senior levels to strip away much of the success that this college has built up over the many years; and it would be a shame to walk back all those years of success,” he said.
Liberal Party candidate Brad Layton identified three major issues in our region: the economy, the environment and infrastructure.
Both Layton and Cullen saw the environment and the economy as being inextricably linked.
“We can’t have good environmental standards if we don’t have a good economy, we’ve seen it in the past when our economy goes downhill our environmental standards slide because we want the jobs,” said Layton.
It also didn’t take long for the issue of LNG development to surface.
“Small businesses need larger sized businesses in order to thrive and that’s why I’m a big supporter of LNG,” Conservative Party Candidate Tyler Nesbit said.
Cullen came out in support LNG development as well, but “only if it is done properly”. He believes locals would feel more comfortable with LNG if they had more meaningful input.
In reference to the Unist’ot’en camp, Cullen explained, “The situation speaks to the fact that we need a better system of resource development in this country and we need to resolve First Nations lands and titles questions.”
Nesbitt fielded questions about his party’s omnibus bills, and ongoing free trade negotiations including the trans pacific partnership. Nesbitt argued that concerns about the agreements were unfounded, insisting, “We have a viscous negotiating team that is going to look after those [Canadian] interests.”
The infrastructure deficit was another looming issue during the meeting.
Layton sees taxes being raised by municipalities to pay for infrastructure issues as inevitable unless the federal government intervenes. Both Layton and Nesbit discussed their party’s plan to launch infrastructure-funding plans by borrowing while interest rates are low.
Christian Heritage party candidate Don Spratt agreed but reiterated, “We won’t run deficits and we will live within our means.”
Spratt spent the meeting emphasizing his party’s main concerns over religion and abortion. He described himself as “a voice crying in the wilderness of political correctness these days” and when asked on his opinion about Canada’s involvement in Syria, Spratt argued that although humanitarian action is essential he cautioned about radical elements saying, “We must be careful with refugees and terrorist infiltration.”
The all candidates’ debate was presented by the Burns Lake and District Chamber of Commerce and hosted by Steve Davis.
Green Party candidate Jeannie Parnell did not attend the event.
The federal election will take place on Monday Oct. 19 2015. Visit elections.ca or call toll free 1-800-463-6868 for more information on registration and voting.
