There were interesting moments at the 琉璃神社-Mission all-candidates forum on Tuesday (Oct. 8), including B.C. Conservative Gavin Dew鈥檚 comment that he and leader John Rustad are soon to be endorsed by Brad Bennett.
Bennett is the son of former Socred Party Leader and B.C.鈥檚 27th premier, Bill Bennett. Speaking about free enterprise Dew said a series of interviews with Brad Bennett will be coming out in the next few days.
鈥淎s a reminder that when, as free enterprisers, we stick together, we win, we defeat the NDP and we get this province back on track.鈥�
Dew, BC NDP candidate Harpreet Badohal and unaffiliated candidate Ashley Ramsay participated in the breakfast forum hosted by the 琉璃神社 Chamber at the Coast Capri Hotel. Green Party candidate Billy Young was invited but did not attend.
During the forum, Badohal questioned the moderator, CBC Radio host Chris Walker, over Dew mentioning individuals in the audience.
鈥淗e has named (琉璃神社-Mission MLA) Renee Merrifield and (Mayor) Tom Dyas they are not a part of this discussion,鈥� Badohal said.
Dew had referred to reactions from Merrifield and Dyas on the topics of housing and short-term rentals. Walker said that candidates pointing out people they know in the audience did not hurt the debate.
鈥淚f you have concerns with the rules of the debate you can take it up with the Chamber afterwards right now we鈥檙e going to talk about the issues,鈥� Walker said.
Questions were mostly business-focused and covered housing infrastructure, short-term rentals, paid sick leave and the employer health tax. Helping businesses deal with the consequences of crime and drug decriminalization was an important topic for all the candidates.
Bahohal noted that the NDP has hired approximately 100 of the 250 promised RCMP officers and is setting up provincial hubs to deal with repeat property crime.
鈥淲here there will be prosecutors, police officers, probation officers to deal with those repeat offenders.鈥�
He added that B.C. has the most strict bail rules in Canada.
"The problem is because of federal rules to which judges are bound of those people recommended by the prosecution to be detained until trial only 25 per cent are detained."
Ramsay advocated a preventative approach.
鈥淲e need more support in the schools and on the front lines to help with an issue before it becomes an issue,鈥� she added. 鈥淚t also goes beyond crime, it鈥檚 compassion for people who have complex mental health issues and addictions to these drugs.鈥�
Dew pointed to the Conservative's recently released crime policy.
鈥淭hat includes toughening the charge assessment guidelines鈥e鈥檝e talked about hiring more sheriffs, judges, crown prosecutors鈥s well as fighting for mandatory minimum sentences.鈥�
All the candidates spoke of the need to help individuals with mental health and substance use issues with supports to help them put their lives back together.
Throughout the debate, Badhohal urged voters to do their research and not believe what he called Conservative lies about the NDP鈥檚 record in government and its campaign promises.
鈥淛ohn Rustad and the Conservatives, they think they own you because you are business entities,鈥� he said. 鈥淭hey think they will create a mirage of free enterprise and you will come running to buy their false dream.鈥�
Dew repeatedly told the audience not to believe NDP messaging around conspiracy theories.
鈥淲hat we鈥檙e seeing in the final days of this election is an NDP government desperate to distract,鈥� he added. 鈥淟ook at our economy, it is on the rocks. Look at our healthcare system, it is falling apart. Look at what is happening on our streets.鈥�
Ramsay reminded the audience that they had another option.
鈥淓verybody here lives in one of the 17 ridings that have an independent (candidate),鈥� she said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 an unprecedented opportunity for 琉璃神社 to have an untethered representation for you.鈥�
The 琉璃神社 Chamber hosts the candidates from 琉璃神社-Lake Country-Coldstream on Oct. 9 and 琉璃神社-Centre on Oct. 10.
