Candidates in the upcoming federal election will be gathering at the Whonnock Lake Centre in Maple Ridge for a debate on issues currently facing Canadians.
Topics will include, tackling crime, the cost of housing, how to best deal with the current White House president, and more.
So far four candidates have confirmed their attendance at the debate: Daniel Heydenrych running for the New Democrat Party, Liberal Party of Canada candidate Angeline Rowell, Laura Anderson with the Green Party of Canada; and incumbent Marc Dalton with the Conservative Party of Canada.
Organizer Dale Hardy, on the executive of the local teachers association is still waiting to hear from People's Party of Canada candidate Chris Lehner. He is also waiting to hear from Maple Ridge resident Peter Buddle as a possible candidate for the Rhinoceros Party of Canada – a party that allows candidates to promise what they want in their riding, no matter how unconventional or silly. Buddle confirmed he will participate providing he receives enough signatures and is confirmed to run by the April 7 deadline.
Hardy is hoping the debate will give way to a thoughtful discussion.
“I am disturbed how many of us live in silos and fail to communicate in a civil manner outside of our in-group. This is more pronounced in America where media no longer looks to broaden its base, but instead appeal to a limited but loyal demographic,” said Hardy.
“I want a return to respectful dialogue, a diversity of opinion. We are neighbours,” he added.
Clive Williams will be the moderator for the debate. He was a Grade 5/6 teacher for more than 11 years at Golden Ears Elementary; then a principal at Meadowland Elementary, Webster's Corners Elementary, Eric Langton Elementary, Golden Ears Elementary, and Maple Ridge Elementary until his retirement in 2006. While a teacher he was the staff representative to the Maple Ridge Teachers Association and a member of the bargaining team. As principal he was the local representative to the BC Principals' and Vice-Principals' Association, (PVPA). He was a member of the Maple Ridge/Pitt Meadows PVPA from 2003-06, and a member of the local board's bargaining team. He was a Director of Accommodation for the BC Disability Games in 2009, and a Community Services board member for a decade from 2013-23. And he was a debate moderator in the last municipal election and provincial election.
Williams was a resident of Thornhill in Maple Ridge for 38 years, and just recently moved to Pitt Meadows.
The all-candidates meeting will take place at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 22, at Whonnock Lake Centre, 27871 113 Ave., in Maple Ridge.
Questions for candidates can be emailed to: fiona30@shaw.ca.
It is being put on by the Maple Ridge Teachers Association and the Whonnock Community Association.
Doors will open at 5:30 p.m. and the meeting is expected to last around two hours.
Election day is Monday, April 28.
Although, Elections Canada offices are open across the country and anyone can vote early at any one of them by 6 p.m. on Tuesday, April 22, using the special ballot process.
The Elections Canada office for Pitt Meadows-Maple Ridge is located at 19100 Airport Way, suite 517, in the Golden Ears Business Park in Pitt Meadows.
For more information about voting early or about the election go to: https://www.elections.ca/home.aspx.
