As the short election campaign ramps up, all of the declared candidates for the West Vancouver-Sunshine Coast-Sea to Sky Country riding are getting together for several forums on the Sunshine Coast.
Candidates for the 44th federal election have until 2 p.m. on Aug. 30 to file their nomination papers, and the official list of candidates will be confirmed on Sept. 1.
As of Aug. 24, there are five candidates in the riding: current Liberal MP Patrick Weiler, former Conservative MP John Weston, Avi Lewis for the NDP, Mike Simpson for the Greens, and Doug Bebb for the People’s Party of Canada.
The five candidates were scheduled to first appear at a forum hosted by the Sunshine Coast Federation of Community Associations (SCFCA) on Aug. 25 (after Coast Reporter’s press deadline). The hybrid event was set to take place at the Roberts Creek Hall from 7 to 9 p.m., with an online component on Zoom.
The federation’s Clint Budd told Coast Reporter on Aug. 24 that Weiler, Lewis and Simpson planned to attend in person. Bebb would join by Zoom, and Weston declined the invitation. Budd said Betty Baxter, a former School District No. 46 board chair, would be the moderator.
An environmental issues forum will be held on Aug. 30 from 7 to 9 p.m. and focus on climate change. The online event is co-sponsored by the Sunshine Coast Conservation Association and Alliance 4 Democracy. The Liberal, Green and NDP candidates are set to attend. Jef Keighley will return as moderator.
On Sept. 1, the Gibsons & District Chamber of Commerce will host an all-candidates meeting from 4 to 6 p.m. at High Beam Dreams event centre (350 Glassford Rd.). The event will be moderated by Keith VanBrabant, the host of Eastlink’s Parliamentary Talkback. Questions can be submitted to [email protected].
The Sechelt & District Chamber of Commerce’s forum will be on Sept. 13 from 4 to 6 p.m.
While election day is Sept. 20, advance voting will take place on Sept. 10, 11, 12 and 13.
The Elections Canada office on the Sunshine Coast is located at 5710 Toredo Square, Suite 102, in Sechelt.
