A week after the provincial election writ was dropped, the first all-candidates forum in Delta South was held Wednesday.
The local chapter of the Probus Club hosted the morning event at the Coast Tsawwassen Inn, which saw over 80 people hear what three of the hopefuls had to say on a range of questions that were given to them in advance.
Liberal Ian Paton, Green Larry Colero and independent Nicholas Wong were in attendance. The NDP's Bruce Reid was unable to attend, while organizers weren't aware of the BC Action Party's Errol Sherley's candidacy as he only recently filed.
After introductions, the first question asked was what the three thought of the acute care bed situation at Delta Hospital as well as access to home care.
Noting the community had done a tremendous job defending the hospital, and how the hospital auxiliary and foundation have raised a combined $50 million over the years, Colero said the hospital might not quite be at the "hallway medicine" stage seen at other facilities, but there are still not enough beds.
Noting his family's long connection with the hospital, Paton said he worked with Delta North MLA Scott Hamilton to arrange a meeting with the health minister to address concerns raised by doctors. He said things are a lot better now than in the past with three operating rooms, a new cast clinic and other additions such as the preadmission clinic.
Wong, however, a member of Friends of Delta Hospital, said it was action by independent MLA Vicki Huntington, including submitting a petition with thousands of names in the legislature, which finally prompted the minister to meet after eight months.
Some of the other questions included whether a tolled bridge should be built. Paton said the George Massey Tunnel Replacement Project is more than just a bridge as it includes a widening of Highway 99 aimed at saving people from idling in traffic every day.
Wong said he wasn't against a new crossing but the decision making has to be called into question, suggesting the project be delayed until an auditor general review, while Colero noted Huntington had asked for a business case for the bridge and was ridiculed.
As far as the proposed Terminal 2 at Roberts Bank, Wong insisted it is a terrible idea that "flies in the face of cheaper alternatives."
He described it as "the most expensive port expansion in the history of mankind" that the province can stop by refusing to sell water lots to the feds. Colero said nobody is looking at the cumulative effects of all the projects taking place, while Paton suggested a "rejigging" of the existing facility along with utilizing ports at Prince Rupert and Ashcroft.
