The first of the Federal Election 2015 All-Candidate Meetings for the ridings of Oakville and Oakville North Burlington took place on October 1st at the Milcroft Golf Club. Reclaim Our Democratic Canada and Fair Vote Canada co-ordinated the event which packed the club house with barely room to stand.
The majority of candidates attended this event with the exception of the Conservative Party candidates. OakvilleNews.Org did reach out to both Conservative Candidates to determine why they were unable to attend. Here is the Conservative's response.
“During the last election, Mr. Young was invited to an event organized by RODC and FVC the nature of which was misrepresented. Mr. Young was advised that only candidates would be asked to speak for several minutes about why they were proud to be Canadian. Instead, the person who appeared as the
moderator opened the meeting with a highly partisan statement against the government, followed by the other candidates in a similar vein who were obviously advised of different rules.” – Terence Young Campaign Office
"Debate organizers should not promote organizations online that encourage voters to oppose one particular party," stated Shane Buckingham of Effie Triantafilopoulos Campaign as to why Effie was not in attendance.
These meetings are often called debates, but are more of a question and answer session which provides voters an opportunity to hear from the candidates, as they answer questions from the moderator as well as the from the floor.
Here are a few of the highlights that really got the crowd rallying.
The question will come first and the answer will be in italic.
Q:How will your party improve democracy?
A:Power has become too centralized at the leadership level and that needs to change – Adnan Shahbaz – Green Party
Q:Where does your party stand on CBC?
A: All good things that happened in Canada occurred with a Liberal Minority government: Canadian Flag, Universal Healthcare, Canadian Pension Plan – John Oliver – Liberal Party
Q: What is your party’s position of the Trans Pacific Partnership?
A: How can Prime Minister Harper sign the agreement while Canada is in an Election? – Pam Damoff – Liberal Candidate
Q: Should your leaders attend debates?
A: I will attend debates whenever I am asked and so will Elizabeth May – Adnan Shahbaz – Green Party
These are just a few of the questions and answers that garnered positive responses from the audience. There are two more official debates where all the Candidates will be attending.
Here is information on the next debates:
- Oakville Chamber of Commerce Debate: Tuesday, October 6, 2015
- Location: Glen Abbey United Church, 1469 Nottinghill Gate, Oakville,
- Time: 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM
- Unifor Local 707 Debate: Thursday, October 8, 2015
- Location: Unifor 707 Banquet Hall, 475 North Service Rd. E., Oakville
- Time: 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM