Last Saturday a federal all-candidates meeting took place at the Ladner Community Centre. Over 300 attended the two-hour session at which I was invited to chair the debate.
Many questions about the environment and the impact of various developments and proposals on our lifestyle and health were asked to the candidates. The questions included: Why is coal from Wyoming being transported to Delta for shipping overseas when Washington state has prohibited it?
Why is Port of Vancouver setting its own environmental standards for what it is doing and planning?
Why the lack of support from the federal government in opposing a massive radio transmitter site being set up on the border at Point Roberts?
What's the need for Delta's container port doubling in size?
Each candidate had a chance to express both party and personal positions on these issues. Following these questions the floor mic was open to questions for over an hour from the audience, resulting in a truly complete debate and exchange of positions. You can view a summary at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q6kvKOSV5N4.
It was complete except for one thing - an empty chair. Our member of Parliament, Conservative candidate Kerry-Lynne Findlay, was absent.
Did the organizers fail to invite her? No, she was invited many weeks ago when this event was first being organized. Did she reply? Well, sort of. She apparently had to check (with head office in Ottawa?), but the day before the event she finally indicated she had a "scheduling conflict."
With her absence there was no one to respond to questions about the current government's position on these matters. Not even someone or even a note to offer apologies.
Strangely, while this meeting was going on Findlay was seen next door having tea at the McKee Seniors' Recreation Centre. Did our MP get lost on the way to the community centre or did she deliberately snub the meeting?
So tea time is a "conflict of scheduling" such that 300 citizens attending an all-candidates meeting are left without responses to issues bearing on the campaign?
I have been a PC and Conservative supporter and a voter several times in the past many years. Never before have I seen such arrogance, contempt and willful disregard for the folks whom she is pledged to represent.
Honourable member of Parliament, please enjoy your tea. You response to voter expectations and priorities is appalling. You have lost my vote.
Ian Robertson is long-time resident of South Delta and was the chairperson of the debate.
