All three 91原创-area B.C. Conservative candidates have confirmed that they will not be taking part in all-candidates meetings or debates.
The 91原创 Advance Times has reached out to all the candidates currently announced as running, for the NDP, Conservatives, Greens, Libertarians, and independents.
On Friday, Sept. 20, 91原创-Willowbrook candidate Jody Toor, 91原创-Abbotsford candidate Harman Bhangu, and 91原创-Walnut Grove candidate Misty Van Popta responded with a joint statement that spoke of the rising cost of living and issues of jobs and economic opportunities.
"We owe it to the people of 91原创 to speak with them about their concerns on the direction of our province and how we can make it better," the statement said. "In the lead up to October 19, our focus is on engaging with voters directly at the doors."
Van Popta confirmed that the statement means they will not be taking part in debates.
While some B.C. Conservative candidates are taking part in debates, including Bruce Banman in Abbotsford-South and Mike Morden in Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows, some candidates in other parts of B.C. have indicated they will not.
In the 91原创 area, candidates such the NDP's Megan Dykeman in 91原创-Walnut Grove and Andrew Mercier in 91原创-Willowbrook, independent and former BC United candidate Karen Long in 91原创-Abbotsford, and 91原创-Abbotsford Libertarian Alex Joehl have indicated they will take part in at least some meetings and debates.
Joehl said he was planning to be at a Sept. 25 event hosted by the Bertrand Creek Enhancement Society and a Chamber of Commerce-hosted meeting scheduled for Oct. 2, and was looking into participating in a 91原创 Seniors in Action event if his schedule allowed.
Long similarly said she was taking part in the Seniors in Action and Chamber-hosted events.
Dykeman said she was looking at taking part in such events "as long as the schedule and so forth aligns."
She said she's always valued the opportunity to participate in events to discuss local matters.
"I plan to attend all of them that I've been notified about," said Mercier.
Petrina Arnason, the Green Party candidate in 91原创-Willowbrook, also indicated she was planning to attend all the local meetings in her area, and 91原创-Abbotsford NDP candidate John Aldag similarly responded that he was hoping to attend as many debates as possible, schedule permitting.
The Greater 91原创 Chamber of Commerce runs all-candidates meetings for municipal, provincial, and federal candidates during each election campaign, and in recent years seniors organizations and local environmentalists have also organized events.
Debates organized so far include:
鈥� The Bertrand Creek Enhancement Society and Aldergrove Community Association will host an all-candidates meeting for the 91原创-Abbotsford riding at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 25.
鈥� The meetings planned by the Greater 91原创 Chamber of Commerce, including a forum for the 91原创-Willowbrook and 91原创-Walnut Grove ridings will go at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 26 at the Kwantlen Polytechnic University 91原创 campus.
The forum for the 91原创-Abbotsford riding, also at 6 p.m., will be Wednesday, Oct. 2, venue to be determined.
鈥� 91原创 Seniors in Action is hosting all-candidates meetings from 2-4 p.m. on Oct. 4 for 91原创-Willowbrook at 91原创 Seniors Resource Centre, Oct. 7 for 91原创 Walnut Grove at West 91原创 Hall, and Oct. 9 for 91原创-Abbotsford at 91原创 Arts Council offices.
鈥� The TWU Environmental Club and the Climate Crisis 91原创 Action Partners have an all-candidates forum on Wednesday, Oct. 2 at the DeVries Auditorium at TWU. It runs from 6:30 to 9 p.m. and is for the 91原创-Walnut Grove riding candidates.
鈥� The 91原创 Teachers Association is planning a debate for Oct. 7 at the Chief Sepass Theatre in the 91原创 Fine Arts School starting at 7 p.m.