Hot topics that were discussed at the provincial all-candidates forum in Osoyoos on May 5 included run-of-the-river independent power projects, the NDP’s proposed changes to how much private liquor stores pay for their stock and traffic congestion between Osoyoos and Vaseux Lake in the summer months.
Bud Alcorn was the moderator for the event, which took place at the Royal Canadian Legion hall, and about 100 people showed up to question the candidates competing to represent the Boundary-Similkameen riding on their platforms and policies.
Lee McFadyen from Keremeos was the first person to raise the issue of the run-of-the-river projects.
She wanted to know how the candidates felt about the projects, which temporarily divert a portion of downstream river flow to produce electricity.
McFadyen was concerned about the environmental impacts on riparian areas that the projects can cause.
John Slater, the candidate for the BC Liberal Party, responded first, saying there are some instances where the projects work.
He said generally they are a good initiative, but there are some locations where they may not be appropriate.
Slater said in order for a run-of-the-river project to be successful, it must not cause harm to the environment and nearby communities have to be in favour of it.
It was at that point Alcorn interjected.
He said any such project operating with more than 50 megawatts of power requires an environmental assessment.
Alcorn also said the provincial Liberal government often allows projects up to 49 megawatts.
He added that it was the NDP which first introduced the concept of the projects, but that the NDP is now the party proposing a moratorium on them.
Lakhvinder Jhaj, the NDP candidate, said her party would repeal Bill 30, which allows such projects to go forward without environmental assessments.
Bill Grieve, the BC Green Party candidate, said later in the evening that Bill 30 cuts out local input on Crown land uses.
Joe Cardoso, the BC Conservative Party candidate, brought up another aspect of the power projects.
“It’s the water licences that are the important part,” he said.
He said there is currently no regulation on what the water is used for before it returns to its natural course or where the power the projects create goes to.
“Our rivers need to stay in the hands of British Columbians,” Cardoso said.
It was also Alcorn who posed the question of building passing lanes along Hwy. 97 from Osoyoos north to Vaseux Lake, citing local frustration with tourists who don’t know the road or the speed limit.
Slater said he is an advocate of passing lanes and noted that traffic speeds drop to an average of 67 kilometres an hour on that stretch of road in the summertime.
Cardoso said he couldn’t agree more and there should be numerous passing lanes on Hwy. 97 as well as highways 3 and 33.
Jhaj promised the NDP would invest in the necessary infrastructure.
“We’ll work together and find a solution,” she said.
Grieve said the Green Party is also in favour of multiple lanes and added that his party would like to see a proper bike lane built.
Don Brogan, who lives in Oliver, said his concern is with the proposed beer tax changes.
Carol James, leader of the NDP, has said that if elected, her government would reduce the discount private liquor stores receive off the retail price when buying stock from government distributors from 16 per cent to 10 per cent.
Brogan said the reduced discount for small liquor suppliers would mean the public would have to pay an additional $3 per six-pack of beer.
“Do you support Carol James?” Brogan asked Jhaj.
Jhaj said she does support James and the NDP’s policy.
She said if consumers buy their liquor from the government store, the price would not change.
Slater said small-scale liquor stores face the risk of going out of business should their purchasing discount be reduced.
Cardoso said he didn’t support the additional costs either.
Candidates also fielded questions about agricultural pollution control, the medical system and senior care.
Cardoso said the accountability of health care providers like Interior Health has to be increased before any improvements can be made.
“Local accountability is where it’s at folks,” he said. “If you’re not locally accountable, you’re accountable to no one.”
Grieve said he agreed with Cardoso.
And he said the Greens would take a more “holistic” approach to health care.
“We have to have some sensitivity,” he said. “We have to have some flexibility.”
Slater said the Liberals have been working on improving B.C.’s health care sector.
He said the party has doubled doctor and nurse spaces and is working on improving the certification process for foreign health workers who want to practise in Canada.
Jhaj said seniors deserve better when it comes to their care and added that the NDP promises 300 long-term care beds immediately should they be elected and another 4,000 by the end of the next term.
She said the Liberal government has “messed up when it comes to healthcare.”
Each candidate also responded to local paramedics who showed up at the meeting.
British Columbia’s paramedics have been on strike since April 1 and are calling for better wages and improved working conditions.
All of the candidates said they would give paramedics an independent mediator in their contract talks, which is what the paramedics have been asking for.
And in response to pollution control on agriculture-related activities, Cardoso said agricultural burning is a local issue to be dealt with at the regional level.
Grieve said the B.C. Ministry of Forestry’s daily venting indexes are there to help mitigate smoke pollution and Slater said there’s already been a “huge improvement in the situation.”
Jahj said the NDP would look at creating incentives for fruit growers to stay in orchards and resist converting to vineyards.
“We hardly have any soft fruit left,” she said. “You won’t see apricots at all.”
Election Day for British Columbia is May 12 and Osoyoos residents can vote at the Sonora Community Centre.
By Karen Knelsen
Osoyoos Times
