There are three candidates represented in the West Kelowna-Peachland riding for the Oct. 19 provincial election - only one of them showed up for a public forum, on Wednesday (Oct. 2) night.
It was Stephen Johnston, running as an Independent, who fielded questions meant for all candidates from the Greater Westside Board of Trade (GWBT) and Peachland Chamber of Commerce.
Executive director Heather Robinson told reporters, after the forum, that all candidates were invited. She said B.C. Conservative candidate Macklin McCall declined to participate, adding he is concentrating on door-knocking for the rest of the campaign.
During candidate introductions someone in the crowd said B.C. NDP candidate Krystal Smith was ill and unable to attend. Black Press Media received an email from someone responding on Smith91裸聊视频檚 behalf, when it requested a one-on-one video interview with the candidate on Sept. 25, also stating she was ill.
Johnston, the former B.C. United candidate for the riding, was asked about his opponents' no-show.
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With only one candidate to answer questions, the crowd of more than 300 people listened to Johnston speak for 30 minutes about housing, property rights, healthcare, investment and job creation, tourism, homelessness, crime and drug use.
Johnston drew applause from the crowd several times including for a comment that drug decriminalization in B.C. needs to end.
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Johnston said he believes the province needs to pursue treatment and recovery, even where involuntary care is necessary for people who have complex mental health needs.
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During closing comments, Johnston said he believes a balanced perspective has been removed from the campaign.
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He then told the audience that with so many independents running there is an opportunity in this election that voters have never had before.
91裸聊视频淲e91裸聊视频檙e free as Independents to move through our community, I91裸聊视频檓 accountable to you and therefore the government is going to be accountable to me on your behalf.91裸聊视频�
