Grauer power
3
Lions have several projects in works
Harvest Festival
Firefighters’ event to benefit Blue Skies
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At Home
17-24
It’s looking a lot like fall
Optimist Delta
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Best in West battle
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Alberta champions tackle Sun Devils on Thursday
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Incumbent too busy for forum Organizers and attendees disappointed Findlay a no-show at first all-candidates meeting of campaign BY
SANDOR GYARMATI
sgyarmati@delta-optimist.com
Conservative incumbent KerryLynne Findlay’s no-show at Saturday’s all-candidates meeting hasn’t gone over well with those who wanted to hear her talk about her government’s position on environmental issues. Findlay was the only federal election hopeful that didn’t attend
the afternoon event hosted by a coalition of local environmental groups at the Ladner Community Centre. It was announced at the forum that Findlay would not attend due to a scheduling conflict. Several negative comments about her absence were posted on social media not long afterward. Wilma Haig, who chaired the meeting, told the Optimist
it was disappointing, given that Findlay’s campaign office had the invitation for over a month before declining the day before the event. “It seemed disrespectful to voters and to other candidates who took the time to attend. She is the incumbent candidate and must be aware of the importance of the environment in this riding, set as it is in the vitally important eco-
system of the Fraser River delta,” Haig said. Saying Findlay may have faced a few tough or awkward questions, but not a barrage of jeers or catcalls, Cliff Caprani with Citizens Against Port Expansion noted the audience would have been respectful. Caprani said it appeared Findlay had time to at least make an appearance, calling it an
opportunity lost. “They wanted to hear what she had to say. It’s too bad,” he added. A spokesperson for Findlay’s campaign explained the minister of national revenue “had a very full weekend of events engaging directly with the voters of Delta.” Findlay’s office said she spent time Saturday at Day at the Farm See FINDLAY page 3
Kerry-Lynne Findlay’s chair was empty but Carla Qualtrough (left), Jeremy Leveque (middle) and Anthony Devellano attended Saturday’s all-candidates meeting in Ladner.
PHOTO BY
GORD GOBLE
Environment takes centre stage as candidates square off BY
DAVE WILLIS
dwillis@delta-optimist.com
The environment was the hot topic at a federal all-candidates meeting in Ladner Saturday. The afternoon forum, hosted by
a coalition of local environmental groups and held at the Ladner Community Centre, marked the first time Delta candidates have faced off during this lengthy election campaign. Liberal Carla Qualtrough,
the NDP’s Jeremy Leveque and Anthony Devellano of the Greens were in attendance while it was announced that Conservative incumbent Kerry-Lynne Findlay would not be there due to a scheduling conflict. There were about
150 to 200 in the crowd. Leveque said the NDP has a concrete plan to protect the environment and fight climate change. “We’ll reverse the damage done by the Conservatives to Canada’s environmental legislation, restor-
ing protection for our lakes and rivers, species at risk and sensitive ecosystems like the Fraser estuary, Westham Island and Burns Bog.”
See MEETING page 3
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