With Parliament still in session, MP John Weston won’t be attending an early-bird “all candidates” meeting set for Monday, June 15, in Davis Bay.
Federal Liberal, NDP and Green Party candidates for West Vancouver - Sunshine Coast - Sea to Sky Country have confirmed they will attend the event, scheduled for 1 to 3 p.m. in the St. John’s United Church upstairs hall and organized by the Canadian Federation of University Women (CFUW) Sunshine Coast.
Weston said he declined the invitation because he still has important work to do in Ottawa.
“June 15 is a sitting day in the House of Commons. I’m elected to represent the people of our riding in the House, and to vote on legislation,” the Conservative incumbent told Coast Reporter by email.
“To attend a candidates’ meeting would be to turn from my duties as the federal representative for this riding, a role which my constituents take very seriously. I welcome the opportunity to participate in candidates’ debates when the campaign begins.”
Betty Baxter, board chair for School District No. 46, will moderate the meeting that will open with brief candidate introductions and presentations, followed by written questions and questions from the floor.
“Since this is not a debate, we ask that candidates explain their own views without referring to those of other parties or other candidates,” CFUW Sunshine Coast said in a letter to candidates.
Candidates who have agreed to attend are Pamela Goldsmith-Jones (Liberal), Larry Koopman (NDP) and Ken Melamed (Green).
The federal election is scheduled for Oct. 19.
Weston, meanwhile, will be holding meetings and seeking input on abandoned vessels this summer in communities across the riding, including in Pender Harbour, Sechelt and Gibsons, his office said.
After being the lone Conservative to vote in favour of an NDP private member’s bill on derelict vessels that was defeated last month, Weston announced he plans to table a bill of his own that would impose criminal and financial penalties on the vessels’ owners.
“I’m working on three legislative initiatives now – abandoned vessels, prescription drugs, and recovery from drug abuse,” Weston said. “I’m working to see all three tabled before the House rises so they can be discussed, in the riding and around the country. By the time October comes, I hope to have the honour to continue moving on these and other initiatives.”
