I enjoyed moderating for the two all-candidates’ forums last week and was truly amazed at the questions asked at each.
As I watched the proceedings, my opinion that the meet and greet before and after was every bit as important as the presentation was once again reinforced.
I am certain that if I was in a position to run on the federal or provincial level, I would want to try to convince all listeners to come on board with me and my party and I would want to treat all those I met with that in mind.
I have always felt that there is no room in politics for arrogance but that doesn’t mean there isn’t any.
I wish I could say that local politics is a much healthier atmosphere; however, that isn’t always true.
The forum in Midway was well attended, as was the Grand Forks event; however, those attending in Grand Forks were disappointed that Conservative candidate Stephen Hill was a no-show offering no explanation. The candidate atmosphere in Grand Forks was friendly, outgoing, polite and respectful while Midway was a little more confrontational.
So what do I look for in a candidate? Party platform is important but just as important is faith in the candidates themselves.
Whether they will be open to meeting with you, if they treat you with respect and actually listen to you and your community, do you think they have the capacity to make sure your ideas are heard in the hallowed halls of government, do they uphold and respect process.
As a local elected official, process is really important to me and also, I believe, to my constituents.
I have learned that in order to have your community heard, you need to work hard on getting those ever-changing people in power to know who you are. It is not exactly an easy task but it truly gives new meaning to the word networking.
The first few years of an elected official’s time really is spent learning the ropes and making inroads to those who can help with whatever your community’s needs are.
I believe the one thing that all of us can do better is work together. Rural areas continue to be a passion of mine.
I believe that all rural areas and small communities are often ignored and not given their due and I truly think that both federal and provincial governments of Canada need to work together.
They need to know that rural Canada, and its resources, pay a very large share into the coffers of government and therefore deserve to be compensated accordingly.
I asked that question at the forum in Midway and actually received a really good answer from the Green stand-in candidate, Andy Shadrack.
Andy is an electoral area director so he understood that maybe, just maybe more of our elected leaders – both federal and provincial – need to spend time as an electoral area director. Governments, no matter what level, need to stop the competition between electoral areas and municipalities, especially when it comes to grants, as there is very little opportunity for electoral areas to apply for grants.
By the end of the evening in Grand Forks, the attending candidates were all a little weary and rightfully so; it’s a hard gruelling schedule when you don’t just talk but place your name on the ballot.
As for me am I going to run again? You bet, keeping in mind that there is no place in politics for arrogance.
Remember, get out and vote.
– Grace McGregor is Area C director for the Regional District of Kootenay Boundary