Over 150 people gathered on Monday night in the auditorium at Grand Forks Secondary School to hear the candidates running for election in the upcoming election pitch their platforms to voters.
Peter Entwistle, independent candidate; Linda Larson, B.C. Liberal Party; and Colleen Ross, B.C. NDP debated policy and past history. B.C. Green candidate Vonnie Lavers was scheduled to attend but was “unable to attend,” according to Boundary Country Regional Chamber of Commerce president Dean Engen.
The candidates began the evening with opening statements following an introduction by Engen. In their opening statements, Larson detailed her record as the incumbent MLA and the spending of the Liberal government in the Boundary Similkameen. Ross spoke about her work on Grand Forks city council and as a farmer. Entwistle highlighted his record as a doctor and drew differences between himself and the party candidates.
“Grand Forks and district are fortunate to have some major employers, like Roxul and Interfor as well as numerous medium and small businesses that benefit from this government’s low business tax structure and the many supports available,” Larson said.
“I wanted to get involved, because that is what I do. I was so honoured that you trusted me and you voted me into council. It has been such a privilege,” Ross said. “I am horrified at the environmental degradation we have, not just here in grand forks, but across Boundary Similkameen and across BC. We cannot afford another 16 years of Christy Clark.”
“For far too long we have been told what to do and what is good for us with the major parties and their urban power base,” said Entwistle. “I am not tied to a lower mainland party, to party discipline, to always vote for the party rather than in my constituents’ best interest.”
Following opening statements media asked questions. The Grand Forks Gazette asked how each candidate would handle the challenge of attracting and keeping youth in the riding.
“It is the same all over the province, and there is no one factor that determines if children will stay in the community after they age out, but we have some major employers and good jobs here, and that in itself will keep more kids here,” Larson said.
Ross and Entwistle both highlighted the need for good education and well-paying jobs in attracting youth. Entwistle also discussed health care as an attractive trait for families.
Moving to questions from the floor, candidates addressed the issues of health care, affordable childcare, the environment and education. Questions were directed to a single candidate, but other candidates could respond with a rebuttal.
Ross spoke to a question about the NDP’s plan for $10 per day childcare.
“Getting parents back to work creates tax revenue and it does cost out,” she said. “It gets parents back to work when parents are working it creates tax revenue, that goes to the government, and it helps to pay for that.”
Larson addressed a question about the softwood lumber agreement negotiations.
“The agreement … expired not quite two years ago and we are negotiating and have been since day one. The softwood lumber negotiation is between the federal government and the United States. We have David Emerson appointment to represent B.C.’s interest in the negotiation, but this is very difficult with Mr. Trump,” she said. “I have no doubt we will get a deal.”
Ross responded, critical of Larson’s comment that it was under the purview of the federal government and pointing out that Emerson is appointed and not elected.
After a question from the audience about membership in the Columbia Basin Trust, Larson pledged to pursue membership in the Trust working with regional directors and other elected officials.
RDKB Area “C”/Christina Lake director Grace McGregor asked Ross about the future of rural dividends funding and the Rural Advisory Council should the NDP be elected.
“We know rural BC has been neglected and Grace, we are going to support rural BC more than ever before,” she said.
A member of the audience asked about the dispensary situation in Grand Forks over the past several months and Ross’ views on capitalizing on medical marijuana in a safe way.
“I support the craft cannabis industry and I would never deny anyone their right to receive the medication they require. I joined Teresa’s co-op [Teresa Taylor, owner of Herbivore Cannabis], I took out a membership because I wanted to support her and encourage her, Teresa is a friend and Brian [Taylor] is a friend,” Ross said. “ Now that they are talking about legalization, we need to be careful with how we do it. I would like to see the craft industry come first.”
Entwistle received a question about his plans to continue working as a doctor while in office as an MLA if elected. In response, Entwistle detailed the work he does as a physician in Oliver, including his work as an addictions doctor and hospital chief of staff.
A question from the audience directed to Larson raised the spending disparity between rural B.C. and the lower Mainland.
“From a population base it would only seem reasonable that there are more people living at the coast than the rest of B.C., so there will obviously be more money spent in the Lower Mainland. However, we set up a minister specifically responsible for rural economic development and a rural dividends fund …because we recognize the importance of rural resource industries. Almost all of the communities in rural B.C., and certainly in Boundary Similkameen, have benefited from that funding … I do not believe that we are not taking care of rural British Columbia.”
Jacob Noseworthy asked Larson about a highly publicized remark she made last year regarding when Indigenous people would “burn out” the effects of residential school. In response, Larson said her remarks were taken out of context.
“It was taken out of context. I actually got that question from Chief Clarence Louie, who told me that it takes about seven generations before the after effects from residential schools will fade out of the population. He told me that,” Larson said. “I would never ever disrespect what First Nations have gone through and I will continue to work alongside them to make sure nothing like that ever happens again.”
Entwistle was directed a question about transportation to specialist health care services from rural areas.
“It is not good enough to say we choose to live here,” he said, “Bringing health to rural communities. The specialists can travel here, we have things like Telehealth, right now we’re lucky because we have some specialist access but over time we might lose that with more centralization.”
After a question about the government’s de-funding of adult basic education classes that now means adult learners pay tuition to finish their grade 12 diploma, Larson said she wasn’t aware of legislation requiring adults to pay to finish their diplomas, but was “concerned.”
“I didn’t miss hardly any days in the legislature and I don’t remember a piece of legislation coming across the floor specifying what you are saying. It may have been the consequence of something else, but in those words I did not vote for that,” she said. “If it has affected people that adversely than I am concerned about that without a doubt.”
A question from the audience prompted Entwistle to explain his reasons for running, noting that he believes elected officials need to “take responsibility” for the “broken health-care system.”
In response, Larson said that despite problems, “you have a health-care system that works when you need it,” and spoke about her husband’s health issues.
Following another question about homelessness and poverty issues, Engen opened the field to each candidate to address their plans on poverty and homelessness, as many of the write-in questions were dealing with those issues.
“The best way to increase housing affordability is increase demand, and in B.C. we have invested huge amounts to do just that,” Larson said.
“Right now we look at housing as a place to live, but we also look at it like an investment,” Entwistle said. “Housing should simply be a place to live, a place of security. That should be part and parcel of the approach to health.”
“I like the grassroots approach and a horizontal approach to leadership. Our job as MLAs is to listen to our communities, listen to your needs and advocate for you at a higher level to make sure your needs are being met,” Ross said, also discussing the work the City of Grand Forks has done on affordable housing.
Entwistle was critical of the NDP health care plan, alleging the NDP plan would actually take money out of health care. Ross rebutted, stating her party’s plan as cutting MSP and rolling it into the tax base.
Entwistle delivered closing statements first, driving home a theme from throughout the evening that he could be differentiated from the other candidates by his experience as a doctor and his insistence that he was not beholden to party politics.
Ross drew connections between her party’s backers and the party’s working class roots.
In conclusion, Larson criticized the spending plans of the other two parties and encouraged voters to head to the polls.
The provincial election is on May 9 and advance polls open through Saturday. See elections.bc.ca for information on poll hours, locations and identification requirements.