It wasn't quite an all candidates's forum at Clearwater Secondary School on Wednesday evening, May 8. One candidate was missing – Kathy Kendall of the New Democratic Party.
About 95 local residents turned up for the event, along with incumbent Liberal MLA Terry Lake and his Conservative challenger Ed Klop.
Michael Crawford, the NDP candidate in the last federal election, spoke for Kendall and expressed her regrets for her absence.
Party leader Adrian Dix was in Kamloops for a rally that evening, he said. Kendall had worked to get him to the city during the last week of the campaign. Now she had got her wish but the dates conflicted.
The NDP candidate had visited Clearwater four or five times during the past few weeks, Ralston said.
She planned to be here again on Saturday for a session at the Flour Meadow Bakery, starting at 9 a.m.
Liberal incumbent Terry Lake said it was unfortunate that Kendall was not there. He pointed to various accomplishments he has achieved while being MLA, such as Ed Buck Manor seniors' housing, upgrades to the Clearwater River and Trophy Mountain roads, improvements at the Infocenter, and encouraging Canfor to reopen its Vavenby operation.
The new roundabout being constructed in Highway 5 would bring $2.2 million worth of business to a local contractor, he pointed out.
“In the North Thompson I think we're on the cusp of doing great things,” Lake said.
Conservative candidate Ed Klop said families are
leaving B.C. to find work in provinces with Conservative governments.
Neither the Liberals nor the NDP have shown any ability to control spending and government debt, he said.
Klop said has been working for himself in business for 25 years, since his mid-20s, and he knows how to get the job done.
“The root of it starts with government,” the Conservative candidate said. “Who has the courage to stand up for the people?”