All five provincial election hopefuls in Delta South got together Wednesday evening as the Delta Chamber of Commerce hosted an all-candidates forum in Tsawwassen.
Held at South Delta Secondary, the meeting saw candidates weigh in on an array of topics, ranging from how they would support small business to campaign finance reform.
Questions included what they'd do to restore market housing, to which New Democrat Bruce Reid, who described himself as "independent NDP" during his opening remarks, said the hot housing market has turned many in Delta into "housing millionaires" that doesn't do them any good in everyday life. He described the situation as a mess that will take a while to turn around.
Independent Nicolas Wong said a number of strategies are needed, including reducing the property transfer tax and loopholes for landlords jacking up rates, while Green candidate Larry Colero said a provincial housing plan involving the feds and social agencies is needed as well as doubling the tax on foreign buyers and applying it across the province.
Noting the government has committed $920 million for affordable housing, Liberal Ian Paton also said more needs to be done to encourage different housing types in Delta.
The B.C. Action Party's Errol Sherley noted longterm rentals are disappearing from the market done to promote densification to create more rental units.
As far as the doctors'shortage, Wong said a multi-pronged strategy is required, including creating urgent care facilities with nurses in charge, an answer that was echoed by several other candidates.
Regarding Delta's call for an overpass at 52nd Street and Highway 17 near the new malls, Colero said they have to rely on the expertise of the ministry, but Paton said the municipality has drone footage on just how dangerous the intersection is for pedestrians. Reid agreed, saying one person hurt is too many.
On whether new bridges should be tolled, Reid wasn't in favour but noted transit needs to be vastly improved, while Sherley called Deltans "third class citizens" when it comes to transit.
Wong said he favours a toll on all crossings, while Paton said his government would cap tolls at $500 annually.
Near the end of the meeting, Reid told the audience not voting for his party would be allowing Paton, who he called a great guy but in the wrong party, a victory.
Although the tone of the meeting was generally polite, some audience members did get vocal at Wong when he brought up the finance records and donations of previous Liberal candidate Bruce McDonald as well as Paton's civic political group.
Paton got an earful when he talked about how he stood in a handsaround-the-hospital event over a decade earlier.
