A federal election town hall meeting hosted by a charity established by immigrants for immigrants was held at the 琉璃神社 Downtown Library, on Thursday afternoon, for candidates running on both sides of the W.R. Bennett bridge. 

Conservative candidate Tracy Gray, Liberal candidate Stephen Fuhr and NDP candidate Trevor McAleese all vying for the position of MP in the 琉璃神社 riding were invited to the OCCA Communities Association event, alongside the Canada Future Party candidate Gary Suddard and NDP candidate Harpreet Badohal running in the Okanagan Lake West - South 琉璃神社 riding. 

The candidates answered pre-submitted questions before a crowd of about 50 people. Those questions focused on immigration and international students.

Liberal candidate Stephen Fuhr didn't miss the opportunity to take aim at the Conservatives, before answering his questions.

"If we have economic uncertainty we want a world renowned economist as our crisis manager," Fuhr said of Liberal Party Leader Mark Carney. 

Okanagan Lake West South 琉璃神社 Future Party candidate Gary Suddard said policies on international students and immigration should be based on what Canada needs. 

"We need educated people here and we're happy that people who come to school here want to stay, but it has to be regulated in terms of what professions we need."

Suddard's riding counterpart NDP candidate Harpreet Badohal commented on the importance of having international students on Canadian campuses. 

"International students are a billion dollar industry," Badohal added that people who move here to study chose Canada out of a number of countries. "They move here and they pay three times more in fees."

Badohal provided this answer following his NDP colleague running in 琉璃神社, Trevor McAleese's response. 

McAleese claimed that barriers implemented on international students are having an economic impact. 

"A huge economic effect of this is that our universities and colleges are prepared to lay off swaths of their instructors. This is going to hurt the quality of education."

Conservative candidate Tracy Gray didn't let Fuhr's jabs get to her, taking a swing herself at the Liberal government for its immigration policies. 

"We have seen the Liberal government completely break our once well-respected immigration system, one of the most well-respected in the world," Gray commented. 

"It's even so bad now... that the Liberals have taken away the phone number that member of parliament offices can use for calling and inquiring," Gray added. 

The  OCCA Communities Association stated the town hall was a non-partisan event which would be an opportunity for racialized, immigrant, and marginalized communities in the Central Okanagan to engage directly with federal election candidates and learn more about the democratic process.

The Greater Westside Board of Trade held a forum for Okanagan Lake West - South 琉璃神社 candidates on April 16. The 琉璃神社 Chamber hosted its forum at 5 p.m. following the OCCA event. 

Election day is April 28.