Listen Live
Listen Live

First all candidates meeting in Prince George sees 50% attendance

Prince George’s first all candidates meeting took place at the downtown Ramada this morning, hosted by the Independent Contractors and Businesses Association and the Northern Regional Construction Association. Moderated by the Prince George Cougars’ Dan O’Connor, the panel focused on issues affecting the construction industry, from job training opportunities to resource development.

“It was very subdued – very respectful, said Mike Morris, the incumbent Liberal MLA in the Prince George Mackenzie riding. “The crowd was focused on the construction industry and infrastructure and whatnot, which I think is key to any platform in BC whether NDP, Liberal or Conservative or Green.”

Despite being billed as an all candidates meeting, only half of the candidates in Prince George’s two ridings attended. Both NDP candidates – Natalie Fletcher in Prince George-Valemount and Bobby Deepak in Prince George-Mackenzie – were notably absent. Deepak tweeted that he was on his way to Mackenzie due to a prior commitment about 15 minutes after the forum commenced.

There is another all candidates meeting in Mackenzie this evening.

Organizers said they were informed last week that the NDP candidates would not be attending. Green Party candidate Nan Kendy – who is running against incumbent Liberal Shirley Bond in the PG-Valemount riding – was also missing.

Green Party candidate Hilary Crowley made her first campaign appearance at the forum. Crowley registered in the PG-Mackenzie riding just before the April 18 deadline. She said the forum could have been a tough crowd, with many attendees involved in the province’s construction industry, but it wasn’t.

“People from oil and gas and from pulpmills and that are in the crowd but I think I presented the green party platform quite fairly and honestly and everybody received it well. I never got booed. I thought we had a good discussion.”

Candidates answered 5 pre-submitted questions and another two submitted by the crowd after a brief break in the proceedings.

Question 1: What are your party’s plans to support a healthy and vibrant construction sector?
Question 2: Explain your party’s position on investing in infrastructure in northern British Columbia?
Question 3: Explain your party’s position on resource development in northern BC?
Question 4: Comment on how your party will improve and encourage educational opportunity for people entering the skilled trades and technical design fields?
Question 5: Can we build major energy and infrastructure projects in British Columbia without relying on temporary foreign workers?

Audience question 1: Does affordable housing actually mean affordable social housing?
Audience question 2: How will you assist northern communities to upgrade or replace their below ground infrastructure?

The full audio from the forum is below. Part 1 contains the pre-submitted questions; Part 2 is audience questions.

Something going on in the Prince George area you think people should know about?
Send us a news tip by emailing [email protected].

Shannon Waters
Shannon Waters
Raised in Victoria, educated in Vancouver at UBC and BCIT, Shannon moved to Prince George as a reporter in 2016. She is now the News Director for Vista North.

Continue Reading

cjci Now playing play

cirx Now playing play

- Advertisement -

Related Articles

<p>

- Advertisement -
</p>

Latest News

Local cyclist says hit and run highlights the danger riders encounter on regular basis

One suspect who was driving a black dodge 1500 truck was taken into custody. The Tour de North rides is scheduled for September 12th to 18th consisting of an 850-kilometre journey from PG to Prince Rupert raising money for childhood cancer research.

Website refresh surfaces more of your important local stories

Regular visitors to this website will have noticed some changes to the home page and other templates in recent days.

City launching update for Active Transportation Plan

The City of Prince George is launching an update to its Active Transportation Plan, and is inviting feedback from residents. According to the City, the updated plan will guide the development of infrastructure and programs which support safer, more accessible, and more convenient travel options for people of all ages and abilities. 

RCMP looking to identify suspects in repeated vandalism investigation

The Prince George RCMP are looking to identify suspects in an investigation into repeated vandalism at a residence on the 100-block of McQueen Crescent. According to police, the initial investigation began in late May, when unidentified suspects threw a rock through the front window of the home, and spray painted the front with orange spray paint.
- Advertisement -