Image Credit: CFJC Today / Adam Donnelly

By Jill Sperling

Federal Election 2019

Local candidates spar over major election issues at all-candidates forum

Oct 9, 2019 | 6:30 AM

KAMLOOPS — Major election issues were debated by all seven candidates for Kamloops-Thompson-Cariboo Tuesday evening at Thompson Rivers University.

People brought their questions and concerns to the candidates, hoping for clarity on party platforms.

Environmental issues were one of several topics to spark passionate discussions.

One woman asked Green Party candidate Iain Currie how he would protect Canadians from “the financial meltdown” she claimed his party’s climate platform would create.

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“There are jobs that will be created, absolutely, in the process,” Currie replied. “An independent, non-partisan group of construction trade unions have estimated that the transition to a green economy between now and 2050 will create 3.3 million direct jobs.”

Liberal Party candidate Terry Lake challenged Currie, saying too quick of a transition to a green economy will cause job losses.

“We’ve seen this movie before,” Lake said. “We can’t lose the momentum by having a plan that is not feasible that will take us backwards not forwards.”

When asked about the wait time for assistance from Veterans Affairs, most candidates were in agreement the current wait is unacceptable.

“We have committed to getting rid of that backlog within 24 months, to have it completely wiped out,” said Conservative Party candidate, Cathy McLeod.

NDP candidate Cynthia Egli referred the questioner to her campaign manager.

“Thank you again for your service,” she said. “I don’t, unfortunately, have much of an answer for you, other than if you leave your name with my campaign manager I will try and get you a better answer.”

Other topics discussed included reconciliation, education investments and SNC Lavalin.

Voters will choose their Member of Parliament on election day on October 21.