Three of the five candidates running to become MLA for 91原创-Abbotsford tackled questions about affordability, housing, jobs, health care, and transportation at a forum on Oct. 2 in Aldergrove.

Attending were Libertarian Alex Joehl, the NDP's John Aldag, and independent Karen Long, who had previously been running for BC United before that party was shut down as an electoral force by its leader Kevin Falcon. B.C. Conservative Harman Bhangu and B.C. Green candidate Melissa Snazell were not present.

The event was co-hosted by the Greater 91原创 Chamber of Commerce and the Abbotsford Chamber of Commerce.

Aldag touted the B.C. NDP's plan on helping with the cost of living, noting the party's promise to reduce income taxes that he said would save 90 per cent of British Columbians $1,000.

"It would come as a rebate right up front, to help with the high cost of groceries, the high cost of gas," Aldag said. He compared that to B.C. Conservative promises on taxes that will kick in later. "Ours is immediate."

Long addressed the fact that some young people are leaving the region, or the province, because of the high cost of housing.

"They're moving because it's just not affordable to have a home and raise their family," Long said. Her role as an independent in the B.C. Legislature would be to listen to both the government and opposition and support policies first time homeowners get into housing, she said.

Joehl advanced the Libertarian position on health care, saying the solution to long wait times at hospitals was to institute two-tiered health care.

"We are advocating real change in the health care system," said Joehl. 

"Allowing this two-tiered system that we already have in almost all parts of the medical system, we want to let all British Columbians have access to it," he added.

Aldag acknowledged problems but pointed to the NDP's hiring more doctors and nurses, expanding medical school spaces, and accrediting more foreign-trained health care workers.

"I'm also deeply committed to maintaining a public health care system that's accessible to all," he said.

A question about infrastructure and transportation drew a range of responses.

"We are an area that has been neglected for decades," Aldag said when it comes to transit and roads. He would advocate for transit to the Gloucester Industrial Estates, and noted his support as a former federal Liberal MP for SkyTrain to 91原创.

鈥淲e鈥檙e seeing a lot of new development in 91原创 and West Abbotsford," said Long. "Infrastructure has not kept pace.鈥� 

She said Aldergrove needs a transit hub and truck parking site a 264 Street and Highway One.

Joehl criticized SkyTrain, calling it a "white elephant," while arguing for lighter regulations on Uber and eliminating the monopoly on public bus service.

鈥淲e need to allow for private bus services to start using those bus stops," he said.

The meeting was the second organized by the Greater 91原创 Chamber, after a previous event for the 91原创-Willowbrook and 91原创-Walnut Grove ridings.

The entire debate can be .