It was more than obvious one political point of view was missing at the Bow Valley’s first federal election forum – that of incumbent Conservative Blake Richards
The forum, hosted Wednesday (April 20) night by the Banff Public Library and The Banff Centre at the Max Bell Auditorium, saw a lot of challenges to Richards and his party go unanswered.
Due to campaign commitments elsewhere, Richards was unable to attend but Green Party candidate Mike MacDonald, Liberal John Reilly and NDP candidate Jeff Horvath were on hand, however, and fielded a number of questions from residents.
“To me, this is the most direct form of democracy; by taking time out of your busy life and coming to see us candidates, well most of us,” said Horvath. “My mother told me not to talk bad about people when they aren’t there, so it is going to be hard to call (Richards) on his policies.”
Reilly pointed out on many issues the three who attended the forum agree and said he was hurt Richards was a no-show because he is the one he wants to challenge.
MacDonald pointed out in many places around the world people are putting their lives at risk for democracy, adding candidate forums are a key to getting to know who is running and what they stand for.
“This is the core of democracy and we see it happening in the world today where people are fighting for what we have,” he said.
While MacDonald did not take the opportunity to level a criticism directly at Richards, he spoke about his issues with the Conservative Party in general.
“I think probably my biggest concern has to do less with the Conservative platform than the overall tone in Ottawa – this is about democracy and about you having a voice,” he said. “We are not seeing voices being heard in Ottawa and there is a push for a single solitary voice and that is a concern for me.
“To me, it is more about Conservative ideology – it is more than just their policies, it is the way they do business.”
John Scurfield offered an opening statement on behalf of Richards, saying the incumbent was honoured to serve as Wild Rose MP, “and he has worked hard on your behalf to make sure your voice is heard in Ottawa.”
Richards, said Scurfield, has initiated a number of consultation initiatives and, if re-elected, will continue to be a strong voice for the riding.
The Conservatives and Canada, said Scurfield, have faced a global financial crisis. “The Conservative government has helped Canada weather the storm and is the reason Canada is projected to lead the G8 in recovery.”
He added the Conservatives have also worked hard to engage local communities through events round table discussions and Richards has worked hard to promote tourism and keep communication lines open between parks Canada, businesses and stakeholders.
Recently approved destination status for China will help to help grow the market in this area, said Scurfield on Richards’ behalf, and as the MP, Richards has worked hard on Economic Action Plan projects for the riding, including the third phase of twinning the Trans-Canada Highway, Cave and Basin improvements and the Legacy Trail.
Reilly reiterated that he feels not enough emphasis has been placed on the fact Stephen Harper’s government fell because it was in contempt of parliament
“I cannot remain silent about this. I’m really disappointed in Canadian media that they are not saying a lot more about contempt of parliament,” said the former judge. “That’s what has brought me into this election.
“I think this is the most important election Canada has ever had because I think what is at stake is democracy itself.”
The reason for contempt, he added, is directly related to the government lying to parliament and Canadians about the cost of their programs.
Reilly said the Conservatives told parliament one justice initiative would cost $90 million and the parliamentary budget committee pegged it closer to $10 billion.
In addition, plans to purchase F35 stealth fighter jets for $35 billion failed to disclose that price tag was without engines in them.
One question from the floor was about election turnout and the likelihood of Richard’s run as MP ending. In the last election, Richards won the Wild Rose riding with 73 per cent of the vote. The three candidates were asked why they were the best chance to oust the incumbent.
“There’s no question it’s an uphill battle in this Conservative riding,” said Reilly. “It is fun to come to Banff, though, where you can feel some non-Conservative atmosphere. I had lunch the other day with (former MP) Myron Thompson... one guy wouldn’t shake hands with me, he was so anti-Liberal.
“Liberals have generally been government or opposition and right now are the second most powerful party and the one most likely to form a government in place of the Conservatives and I am hoping the profile I have in the valley in Banff, Canmore and Cochrane as a result of my years sitting here as a judge will, in fact, give me the edge to defeat him.
“Every unseated Conservative candidate is a score for democracy in Canada.”
“This is my third election and my campaign slogan is ‘I believe in democracy’ and you deserve a positive alternative to the status quo,” said Horvath.
He pointed at Barack Obama’s run for the White House when many dismissed the notion an African American could become president.
“Why not an Ojibway as an MP – yes we can,” he said.
Horvath said the key is to tap into disenchanted voters.
“No wonder turnout is so low, look at the behaviour of government. I got in this because I believe in democracy and I am going to represent and offer you who I am – the honesty and integrity of who I am.”
“That question is coming up a lot,” said MacDonald. “There is concern about democracy and questions about strategic voting. Having finished second in the last election shows the Green Party is the strategic vote in this riding.
“The Green Party offers hope and hope that things will be different. It offers hope to our children and I have concerns for the future and I think that’s why I say ‘choose Green’.
“We need to clean up Canadian politics and I think we offer the hope of cleaning up politics and cleaning up our environment.”
Surrounded as Bow Valley residents are by Mother Nature’s majesty, a natural question put to candidates by an area youth was how they would preserve nature for future generations.
MacDonald said, “it’s been interesting in the last few weeks that of all the people I have talked to, it is your age up to aged 25-30 who are the ones that really understand the concern for this planet we live on. It is the only one we’ve got.”
He pointed to his belief that our systems are interconnected; from the economy, health, education and the environment.
“This is what interested me in the Green Party in the first place; they have a comprehensive platform and there is lots we have to do to make sure you have grizzly bears to look at in the future. We need to make sure the ecosystem is intact because we are part of that ecosystem.”
Reilly said the Liberal Party will provide the leadership required for a successful transition to the prosperous and cleaner economy of tomorrow.
“I think what is happening is that political parties and people generally are beginning to realize we have to develop our resources in a way that doesn’t damage our planet for future generations and it sure is not fun not having Blake here to talk about it.”
Horvath, both a teacher and a father, spoke about the importance preserving nature for future generations.
“It makes it that much more critical when you have children and as a teacher you try to instill those values,” he said. “This election is about those different values.”
Horvath pointed out a fundamental difference between his party and the Conservatives – that a lack of government regulation can cause a detrimental effect on the planet and the economy.
“As a New Democrat, I believe in regulation to control corporate greed,” he said.
Oil rich Alberta came up as a topic of discussion and in particular the affects the oilsands have on those living downstream.
Horvath called for the cancellation of subsidies for oil companies and imposing a cap and trade system that would see those companies pay.
“I teach this to my students; if you make a mess, clean it up, and as a government it is our responsibility to regulate that.”
Horvath and MacDonald both spoke to improving green technologies and the development of a green economy.
“For me, it comes down to looking at all these issues in their entirety,” said MacDonald. “Why are we subsidizing one of the most polluting industries on the planet when they are making astronomical profits?”
He said there is a middle road between shutting the oilsands down completely and leaving it to regulate itself.
Reilly addressed how downstream from major oilsands developments the health of people is suffering.
“Down stream pollutants, I know, are a serious problems in the area,” said Reilly. “The official position of the Liberal Party is cleaner oilsands development with better technologies and increased rigour of government regulation and an improved knowledge base for responsible regulation.
“We need to invest in science and monitoring in terms oilsands development. It would be impossible to shut down, but there has to be a balance between the ecological integrity and the environment and the Liberal Party wants to increase science and technology and regulation.”
