Oliver senior Allan Close put Boundary-Similkameen candidates on the spot last week by asking them what they’ll do about FortisBC rate hikes.
“I think seniors are having a hard time paying their bills . . . it’s terrible,” Close said at an all-candidates forum for seniors at the Elks hall on May 1.
Liberal candidate Linda Larson said she was “baffled” by the two-tier rate structure. “If you only have electricity (in your home), you’re in real big trouble.”
Larson encouraged utility customers to “keep making noise.”
Former BC Conservative candidate Mischa Popoff (now running on his own) said these rate hikes occurred under Liberal leader Christy Clark’s watch.
“This is our power. If Victoria can’t sort it out, then I suggest they (the provincial Liberals) are giving up our sovereignty to the feds.”
New Democrat candidate Sam Hancheroff said the BC Utilities Commission, which approves the rate hikes, was appointed by the Liberal government. Hancheroff noted he sent a letter to the commission asking it to review FortisBC’s rate structure.
Independent Doug Pederson, who calls himself “the people’s candidate,” said he would replace the commission with honest people and buy back FortisBC.
Green Party candidate John Kwasnica was absent from the forum.
Orest Gulaga from Gallagher Lake expressed his concern about mobile home parks being closed and tenants being kicked out. “We’re stuck with nothing, and the landowner has got the upper hand. What will you do to protect us (when we face four per cent in annual increases)?”
Pederson, who admitted he’s a renter, said he would “put heat” on the landowners by videotaping them.
Hancheroff said mobile home park tenants are “trapped” in this situation. He stated this issue is more important than FortisBC rates.
Larson said the BC Residential Tenancy Act needs to be revised to offer more protections for manufactured homeowners. She noted that Oliver Town council fought to protect tenants in Tradewinds mobile home park.
Janet Shaw from Desert Valley Hospice Society asked the candidates for their support of end-of-life care.
Hancheroff said hospice society work should be part of the BC medical system. “People need to be looked after at home, so I support and advocate for hospice.”
Popoff said unfortunately the government has to choose between helping children who are going hungry and taking care of the elderly. “The solution is to improve the economy from the ground up.”
Larson said she advocates for people wanting to stay home as much as possible during end-of-life care.
Oliver senior Guy Deschatelets asked the candidates for their views on “smart meters” that utility companies want to install.
Popoff said he is dead-set against them, noting that electrical rates will truly skyrocket if these devices are installed. “You’ll be punished for using your dishwasher.”
Larson said the Town of Oliver placed a moratorium on smart meters. But if your standard meter fails, you will get a smart meter regardless of a moratorium, she pointed out.
Hancheroff said he doesn’t favour these devices, noting their intention is for conservation, but it’s all about the money.
Local senior Stefan Cieslik raised a concern about the rigors of driver testing for seniors in BC. He said it appears that seniors are being targeted under the DriveABLE program.
Larson said there are safety issues associated with seniors who drive.
“You should be able to drive for as long as possible, but standards need to be abided by.”
Pederson said his aunt couldn’t pass the DriveABLE program because of her lack of computer skills, and his father quit driving at age 87. The candidate said if you don’t know when to quit, someone should make that decision for you.
Hancheroff said the province needs to test everyone, not just seniors.
Popoff said people never voted for any of this, adding that some bureaucrat dreamed it up. “They’re ramming the project down our throat. They’re treating you guilty of an accident that you haven’t even had yet.”
Oliver senior Heather Frank said she is concerned about the environment and wanted to know what the candidates thought about a national park.
Hancheroff said the NDP wants to restart the negotiations that the Liberals stopped.
Popoff said he is dead-set opposed to establishing a park. “Farmers are the best stewards of the environment.”
Larson said some areas need protection, but “I won’t support anything that impacts (or interferes) with people’s livelihood.”
Lyonel Doherty
Oliver Chronicle
