By Ian Holmes

Nanaimo riding candidates take part in well attended forum

Apr 26, 2017 | 3:59 PM

NANAIMO — The four candidates in the Nanaimo riding squared off in in a provincial election forum in what is widely expected to be a tightly fought electoral district.

The candidates competing in the Nanaimo riding answered about 15 submitted questions at the Tuesday night forum, which drew a standing room only crowd of more than 300 people at the Beban Park Social Centre.

NDP candidate and incumbent Leonard Krog said poverty, homelessness, housing and jobs are the biggest issues facing the riding.

“The fact is Nanaimo has a great core of poverty, 16 years has not solved that. It’s expensive socially, it’s expensive for government, it’s unhealthy for communities,” Krog said.

Liberal candidate Paris Gaudet, who’s expected to challenge Krog for the job he has held for three terms, said her greatest priority is responding to local priorities and being a champion for Nanaimo.

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“We need a modern Nanaimo…technology is the fastest growing sector in the province. We have a world class university breeding incredible education opportunities for our children and our grandchildren. How can we power them up?” she said.

A wide range of topics were covered during the meeting, including how to bolster the local economy, healthcare, the overdose crisis, social and mental health issues, BC Ferries, tuition fees and the softwood lumber dispute.

Green Party candidate Kathleen Harris said sustainable, clean jobs are among her priorities.

“We can lead in this area, we have the expertise, we have the abilities, all we need is some foresight and the political will to bring this forward.”

BC Libertarian Party contender Bill Walker focused on the value of smaller government, lower taxes and fewer regulations.

“Small business is the biggest driver of job creation in our economy,” Walker said. “We need to support that and by reducing taxes on people and businesses, that’s going to help us immensely.”

The Nanaimo boundary was slightly re-drawn following the last election, pushing it farther north. That could tighten the race, which Krog won by 2,253 votes over the Liberal candidate in 2013.

The Nanaimo all candidates forum will air several times on Shaw TV in the Nanaimo area, with the first showing on May 1 at 3 p.m.

ian.holmes@jpgb.ca

On Twitter: @reporterholmes