Sophie Gray
Local Journalism Initiative reporter
MP Richard Cannings is hosting three virtual town hall meetings over the next few weeks to answer questions and community concerns related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Guests for the town halls include NDP leader Jagmeet Singh and Oliver town councillor and chair of the Okanagan Similkameen Regional Hospital District, Petra Veintimilla.
“In extraordinary times like these, we all have questions,” said Cannings in a statement. “I have invited colleagues from Parliament and local government with expertise in areas like health and the economy to help people get answers to the questions that are weighing heavily on their minds and their workplaces.”
Each town hall will be streamed through Facebook Live at 6 p.m., starting on Monday, April 27 when Cannings will be joined by MP and House Leader for the NDP Peter Julian. This will be followed the next Monday by a session with Veintimilla and MP and Critic for Health, Don Davies. Finally, Jagmeeet Singh will join as a special guest on a date to be determined.
The public is encouraged to attend and participate during the lives through commenting and sending questions through Facebook in advance. They are also able to pose questions in the comments section during the broadcast.
Cannings said in a statement that these town halls are as close as he can get to serving constituents face to face.
“Democracy will look different over the coming months. We need to find ways to stay connected and engaged with voices in Ottawa who are fighting for the supports we need to get us through this crisis,” Cannings said.
The public can find the live broadcasts on Facebook at facebook.com/richardjcannings.
