Two candidates contending for the 91原创-Walnut Grove riding fielded questions at an event hosted by 91原创 Seniors in Action at West 91原创 Hall on Monday, Oct. 7.

Independent Carlos Suarez Rubio and NDP candidate Megan Dykeman both spoke on a variety of senior-focused areas, starting with a question about support for hospice programs locally.

Dykeman noted the impact local hospice care has had on her own family.

"We are so fortunate in 91原创, our hospice is amazing," she said.

Dykeman said the B.C. Conservatives want to cut $4 billion from the health care budget, and compared that to money her party has invested in programs like long term care and a commitment to aging in place.

Rubio said he recognized what Dykeman had done, but that there was still more to do, saying that in addition to a recently-announced 300-bed long term care facility, there should be 200 more beds and another 10 hospice beds.

"That will help to ensure there is more support for the 91原创 community," Rubio said.

The HandyDART program, which sends small buses to transport people with physical disabilities around 91原创 and Metro Vancouver, was the subject of a question over whether the candidates support ending its contracting out to a private operator.

"That doesn't make sense," Rubio said of the contracting out.

He said Canadians were at risk of losing culture, heritage, and history to overseas corporations.

Dykeman said the NDP have committed to bringing the HandyDART program back into the government fold.

She accused the Conservatives of intending to keep the program contracted out.

The candidates were asked about affordability for seniors, and the provincial Seniors Supplement, which is one of the lowest in Canada. The supplement ranges from $1 to $99 for single seniors and $2 to 220 for couples, and is paid with Old Age Security.

Rubio said that seniors would continue to face higher costs and inflation "unless we get rid of this NDP government."

He said he would work to help seniors and single mothers.

Dykeman said the NDP would continue with its poverty reduction plan.

"This is not the time for austerity," she said. 

She said that when the government invests in people, they have better economic outcomes.