Environment at the heart of virtual Kamloops-Thompson-Cariboo candidates debate

Sep 9, 2021 | 10:31 AM

KAMLOOPS – A virtual candidates debate, co-sponsored by Transition Kamloops and the Kamloops Chapter of the BC Sustainable Energy Association, produced few fireworks over it’s 90-plus minutes Wednesday (Sept. 9).

Although most of the questions posed to the candidates dealt with environment, other issues were raised included reconciliation.

For the most part the candidates stuck to their national party positions. Jesse McCormick, the Liberal candidate, spoke several times about his experiences as a civil servant, working in Ottawa on the development of the current Liberal government’s environmental policies.

Green Party candidate Iain Currie admitted on several occasions that he recognized the Greens would not form government following the September 20 general election. But he said that fact would allow him to spend more effort on finding solutions to local issues without the burden of following government party policies.

People’s Party of Canada candidate Corally Delwo blamed the destruction caused by devastating 2021 B.C. wildfire season on weather conditions, but also on government red tape. Delwo suggested the federal government should become more involved in fighting forest fires by using a proactive approach. She called the current strategy reactive. Wildfires are currently a responsibility of provincial governments.

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Independent Wayne Allan called for the development of a water bomber factory, saying the planes should be placed strategically throughout the province to allow for a quicker reaction to wildfires.

Missing from the forum was Conservative Party candidate Frank Caputo. In a Facebook message earlier in the day, Caputo said he would not attend because he had committed to a meeting with small business owners before receiving the invitation.

However, NDP candidate Bill Sundhu questioned his absence from the environmentally-based forum, saying it raised questions about accountability, transparency and the Conservative Party’s committment to the environment.

A humourous moment was created went a cat strolled into the camera view of Independent candidate Bob O’Brien, leading to smiles from the other five candidates involved in the evening, while reminding all of those watching about the differences between a live candidates forum, and COVID-19 inspired virtual forum.

You can watch a stream of the debate here.

by Dave Barry

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Environment at the heart of virtual Kamloops-Thompson-Cariboo candidates debate

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