There are those who will make much of BC Liberal candidate Greg Kyllo’s decision to abstain from the upcoming election forum on the environment.
Some will criticize his choice, saying he is simply trying to avoid discussion of a personal ownership stake in a project that resulted in a $375,000 penalty under the Fisheries Act for harming sensitive fish habitat in the Old Town Bay area of Sicamous in 2010.
Others in attendance likely want to question the Twin Anchors owner on issues regarding houseboats on Shuswap Lake.
But there are other indications that the forum was simply out to target Kyllo. A list of suggested questions for candidates came up with more than a dozen for Kyllo, but only one or two for the other candidates.
This is not to say the forum would not be run in a fair and respectful manner. We presume the forum would be focused less on attacks, and more on voters educating themselves about all the candidates’ views.
Kyllo says he is being fair by attending only those forums with a broad-based agenda, saying there are too many special interests to accommodate them all.
An element of free speech is also the decision to refrain from speaking. Kyllo has chosen to make his statement by his absence. While it may be disappointing to some voters, that right also needs to be respected.
