The fifth in a series of forums that aims to define to where candidates in the Juan de Fuca-Malahat riding stand on key issues is set.
BC Green candidate David Evans, BC Conservative candidate Marina Sapozhnikov, and BC NDP candidate Dana Lajeunesse will have two minutes to speak about five specific topics.
"Juan De Fuca-Malahat is our new electoral district and as such needs representation that can meet the needs of the people," said Koshin Sifu Moonfist, a board member with Sooke Multi-Belief Initiative, (SMBI) which is hosting the forum with the Sooke Region Chamber of Commerce. "The people need an opportunity to see and hear these candidates clearly express their views, directions and intentions."
Deb Schenk, executive director of the Sooke Region Chamber of Commerce, said the forum provides an important opportunity to find out what the candidates' positions are on key issues.
"The five critical questions that we chose are based on what we're hearing in the community," she noted.
Topics include traffic congestion on Highway 14, housing affordability and the cost of living, community economic development, health care, and climate action, emergency preparedness and wildfires.
Unlike traditional debates, this and earlier forums dating back to 2018 are rare non-confrontational opportunities for candidates to state, without crosstalk and criticism, the benefits of their platforms, party positions and their own visions for the future of the region, Moonfist explained.
He said attendance at previous forums has been good so far.
The forum will be moderated by Andy Schell, SMBI member, with the assistance of Moonfist. Questions have been circulated to the candidates ahead of time. Written questions will be collected from audience members at the forum, and candidates will be asked to answer as many as time permits once the evening’s base set of five questions have been addressed.
The forum takes place on Monday, Oct. 7 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Sooke Community Theatre in Edward Milne Community School at 6218 Sooke Rd.
According to their website, SMBI is dedicated to working for the betterment of the region as expressed in our purpose through the development of multi-belief cooperation and activities.
SMBI aims to foster a greater respect for, and understanding of, religious, ethical and spiritual traditions that can lead to spiritual and personal growth, as well as community well-being.
"Real peace in a community goes beyond resolving conflicts to actively caring for each other’s welfare and the welfare of our shared physical environment," the website states. "By developing our higher altruistic/spiritual natures, we find real happiness, true peace and security in our lives."
Visit https://sookemultibelief.org/ for more information.
