If the BC Liberals are slammed at an election debate and no party candidate is there to hear it, does it make a sound?
The New Democrats certainly hope so. The party is keeping a running tally of Liberal no-shows at all-candidates meetings and as of yesterday that list included 30 debates.
But the decision will ultimately be made by the constituents who want to hear from the candidates vying for their ballot.
“Well we don’t have to vote for them anyways,” shouted an audience member at an all-candidates meeting last night after being told there would be no Liberal representation, a comment which was met with laughter from the crowd.
Liberal candidates Sherry Wiebe and Haida Lane had told organizers they had previous commitments and were unavailable to attend the joint debate for the ridings of Vancouver-Hastings and Vancouver-Mount Pleasant.
It was disappointing news for constituents, said Cynthia Low, executive director of the Britannia Community Services Centre Society and an organizer of last night’s debate.
“It’s really difficult when the governing party candidates are not able to provide their perspective on issues that are important to communities,” Low said.
“I think it’s a shame because even in the last election the Liberal candidates were not amenable to attending public forums," she said.
The NDP is tracking Liberal candidates who miss or decline to participate in campaign forums, including all-candidates meetings from around the province as well as issue-focused debates where a representative from each party is invited.
Yesterday, a planned all-candidates arts forum organized by the Alliance for Arts and Culture was changed into a live Internet blog with only representatives from the Green Party and the NDP after the Liberals declined to send a candidate.
And a forum for seniors in downtown Vancouver was expected to go ahead today without Liberal representation.
While busy schedules are often cited as excuses for not attending, others candidates have said they will not attend because of the partisan nature of a forum, which they see as biased against them.
Debates in Kamloops-North Thompson have been without Liberal representation because of this explanation, said the riding’s NDP candidate Doug Brown.
“We’ve had two all-candidates forums where the Liberals have shown up and left or not shown up at all,” he said.
One of those included a forum on education, and Brown's opponent Liberal Terry Lake confirmed he did not attend because of who was organizing the event.
“This clearly wasn’t a non-partisan forum,” Lake said. “The event billed as a forum on education was planned by four unions and three of those unions have also actively campaigned against the BC Liberals,” he said.
Lake estimated he will attend six all-candidates debates over the course of the election and chooses which events he will take part in based on his schedule and the nature of the event.
“For me, it’s attending those that are organized by non-partisan groups that have a fair system of conducting the forum and that reach the most people as possible," Lake said.
But Brown said he thinks candidates should attend all meetings, regardless of who is organizing the debate.
“I will go to any forum and answer any questions,” he said.
Brown accused Lake of storming out of a debate organized by the Council of Canadians, after showing up to the event and leaving after about 15 minutes when asked a question about the sale of BC Rail.
“Terry refused to answer the question and then he got up and left,” Brown said.
But Lake countered that he did in fact answer the question, which he said was largely about public-private partnerships, and that he had always intended to stay for only a short while because he had another event to attend.
“They’re trying to spin it like I stormed out of the meeting,” Lake said.
“I made a point about the lack of fairness (of the question selection) but I certainly did answer the question.”
Unlike the NDP, the Liberals are not keeping track of debate attendance records, said BC Liberal spokesperson Shane Mills.
“We just worry about what we’re doing and how we’re connecting,” he said, adding the party has no policy on which debates candidates should attend.
“The candidates make all the decisions locally,” said Mills. “They try to get to as many as they can.”
Liberal participation in debates was also raised as an issue during the 2005 election. The Tyee reported that mid-way through that election, Liberal party candidates had skipped debates in about half of the province’s ridings.
Garrett Zehr reports for The Tyee.
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secret cove
3 years ago
And in Maple Ridge...
BC Liberals are fleeing local debates faster than rats jumping off a sinking ship.......
And that statement sums up the Campbell campaign "Sinking"
Here is what happened in Maple Ridge
http://www.bclocalnews.com/tri_city_maple_ridge/mapleridgenews/news/4439882.html
Wilfred Laurier
3 years ago
So Quarry...
Quarry, what is your seat projection?
I'd wager 55 Liberal, 30 NDP, maybe one Green at NDP expense.
What is your bet? I would love to hear, because you, Quarry, really represent the NDP better than any of the Faithful on this site.
secret cove
3 years ago
Messed up the link
Both BC Liberals were no shows in Maple Ridge
http://www.bclocalnews.com/tri_city_maple_ridge/mapleridgenews/news/44398382.html
And at a all candidates meeting in Port Alberni,Scott Fraser has the best line and loudest applaud for his question on the 6.00$ per hour starter wage
"In 500 hours you can learn to fly a helicopter let alone flip a burger"
Here is the link....
http://www2.canada.com/albernivalleytimes/news/story.html?id=025249f7-ee26-44ae-9d45-3b23f37015d1
Wilfred Laurier
3 years ago
Quarry....
Thanks for the link, Quarry, but what about your seat projection?
TrentSteele
3 years ago
All Candidates Meeting at Hastings Community Centre
Haida Lane wil be representing at Hastings Community Centre this Thursday, May 7th.
secret cove
3 years ago
Wilfred........
If you want the most accurate,the most reliable,the best,the prediction that (Luke Sktwlker redux)is afraid to go double or nothing on the 10.000.00$ he bet(and LOST) on the BC bi-election last fall......
Luke Skywalker bet that the BC Liberals were going to sweep the bi-elections,and as even you know Wilfred,Quarry blasted Luke Skywalker outta da park (again)....
My prediction,THE OUTCOME,bet the farm,call it a lock,........Lets just say I have seen the internal polls......
The Campbell polling (ponzi scheme)is all but over..........
Wilfred,my prediction,the result! .....
Has been posted in the comment section about the Environic(Phil Hocstein)poll....
Secret cove,he is wise,all seeing,all knowing,call me Karnac,I have seen the results of the election already,I have the results "Hermedicaly sealed in a mayonaise jar locked in a treasure chest hidden in one of the fast ferries"
You can view the prediction under the latest poll (Hook Story)
Cheers-Eyes Wide Open
RossK
3 years ago
The Dippers Are Also Claiming That....
...The Premier is pulling out of a potential CBC Radio debate....
Can anybody confirm (or deny)?
Thanks.
.
Skywalker
3 years ago
Since they never answered any questions in the House..
...it only follows that they would continue to avoid engaging in debate where they can't claim sub judice at every opportunity. I don't know what else they are doing because you sure don't see them at public functions. Maybe they are having strategy sessions with all their insiders and friends carving up the province.
Van Isle
3 years ago
Our former MLA use to do the
Our former MLA use to do the same thing. The forums that he use to go to were usually so controlled that nobody could ask a question. All questions had to be written down and the moderator would pick and choose which question to ask. Oh yeah, in between elections his nick-name was the "ghost" because nobody could get in touch with him if they had a problem. But at the ceremonial sod-turning event or ribbon cutting event, he was there, smiles and all for the cameras.
gamedev
3 years ago
Debates are not good for liars
I suspect the only reason they don't wish to debate is because their candidates are unskilled at lying on camera. It sometimes comes off...well, like Gordon Campbell did on Sunday. The more debates, the more truth comes out and the more truth that comes out the lower the Campbell Liberals will fall in voter acceptance.
It really is clear that the Campbell Liberals do NOT represent the majority of people in this province. If they did, they would have no problem talking about their policies of pollution and sellouts. The fact that they try to hide these policies should give voters a clue about who the Liberals REALLY represent, once elected.
offended
3 years ago
Poleman missing from Langley debates
Out here in Langley, we have a new moniker for Rich Coleman and Mary Polak, who seem to be unable to do anything during the campaign without each other. Anyways, Poleman didn't attend the Fort Langley debate because it was "biased" as the Langley Teachers' Association organized it. Everyone else was there, but no Poleman. There is another debate tonite at Langley Township Hall (7 PM) and it'll be interesting to see if Poleman attends.
Wilfred Laurier
3 years ago
Quarry
Well, Quarry, I will agree to disagree with you. But you have to behave better or you'll just get banned again. I really do appreciate your input here, your intellect is very indicative of your party and refreshing to see.
Otis Krayola
3 years ago
TrentSteele
Given that no candidates from the Liberals (including Haida Lane) made an appearance at Britannia last evening, we'll just have to take it on faith that she'll show at Hastings Centre on Thursday. If she's 'otherwise engaged', she can kiss goodbye any community credibility she's built.
It is vital that she consider what she hopes to achieve after next Tuesday, because heading off to Victoria care of the electorate isn't really in the cards.
SharingIsGood
3 years ago
Cattlemen
Nowonder the Liberals are running scared. The Cattlemen and Ranchers' associations across BC are dumping the Liberals. They have had enough. This is the most down to earth group of people I have ever met. They are saying 8 years of Campbell is enough, vote NDP. Where I live, the ranchers are the most conservative thinking people I know. They will vote as a block against these friends of international corporations.
RossK
3 years ago
The CattleRanchers?
SharingIsGood--
Aren't quite a few of 'em upset about the BC Rail (nolonger) fencing issue?
.
RossK
3 years ago
Offended....
Thanks for the tip on 'The Poleman' (me still laughing)....
Let us know if 'they' show up at the all-candidates' mtg tonight.
We're keeping track of the Stealth-Libs here.
.
WHAT
3 years ago
Wilfred
Could you please tell the forum...How you came to your polling numbers?...Where are the facts to support your claims? I have been researching this election and have still not found credible numbers to support your claims. And why so much emphasis on the polls, we all know they are not exact...even in an unbiased situation.
I am also aware that political parties use false polls in the hope of stimulating the population to vote the way the supposed majority is voting.
I believe that we should outlaw scripted debates, questions from the audience supporters and non supporters. We need more people answering questions with properly documented facts.
secret cove
3 years ago
Wilfred....
I don`t give a rats ass whether you agree or disagree with me........
Liberals are running for the hills,hiding,ducking,trembling in a corner over a woman with a gun.....
It wasn`t Carole James with the gun,although,my mom asked how I thought the debate went,I told her I would of liked Carole James to have closed the debate by kicking Campbell between the legs!
I read Les Leyne`s piece in the Victoria Times Colonist today(why I don`t know?)
According to Leyne,Gordon Campbell in the last week has sent out 100s of emails to diffrent media complaining that the NDP are lying! I kid you not,Campbell is begging media to help him fend off the attack!
Well,that will be difficult,the media would in fact have to "LIE" to help Campbell,also Campbell was contemplating getting out of the televised debates according to Les Leyne--(no wonder Campbell looked like he had eaten the worm before the debate)
I think your question has been answered Ross K---Campbell ain`t doing no CBC Radio Debate!
Wilfred--I gave you the seat count,the NDP have 34 seats now,the NDP will gain 3 to 4 on the island,sweep Burnaby for another 3 seat pick-up,Fraserview/NDP-Dave Hayer is toast in Surrey/Maple ridge Mission is going NDP/Ian Black will get the sack/1 maybe 2 seats in Prince George for the NDP/Bill Bennett can empty his desk already,he`s done,.....
Were now up to 48 seats.Which of the 34 NDP seats are they going to lose? Maybe 1,maybe 2 ---I don`t see the NDP losing any incumbent seats.
As for you questioning my banishment,my badge of honour,my take no prisoners,the squeaky wheel gets the grease,like G west getting banned,or Frank,or Koot......
There are some people,sages,detectives,philosophers,communicators,and dot connectors that are just too hot to handle and even the powers that be here at the Tyee run with their tails between their legs and jump,how high? As high as their told to!
As for some posters who post dribble,(eh Wilfred) as long as they don`t curse and the rest of us wear a bib who cares!
P.S-- To all you commenters out there/Ed Deak/Stump/Skywalker/Jimmy/Van/Janie/Seth(Mark)/and a whole bunch of others too numerous to mention.
Thank you all/without your input/without your thoughts the Tyee would be nothing...
And a special thanks to the Tyee (Beers)for a first class operation,and Rafe,I nominate you for the man of the year in BC--
Because without you and the battle over rivers/salmon this election might have went BC Liberal.
The election is over,congratulations Carole James/after may 12th you will never hear me mention Campbell and the Liberals again.
Cheers-Eyes Wide Open
bigfella9999
3 years ago
Liberals dodge local debates
The question is:Why isn't canwestgoebbels and the other "Mainstream" media running with this.Could it be that they want ol' Gordo re-elected?That if folks started asking too many questions about healthcare,jobs,homelessness and poverty,climate change and the environment,that Gordo and his buddies couldn't complete the selloff of everything that walks,talks and moves in this province?
Just wondering...
SharingIsGood
3 years ago
RossK - cattlemen
BC's cattlemen are frustrated with Campbell and the Liberals for a number of reasons, notably (as far as I can discern):
The carbon tax: Taxes an industry that requires much fuel to operate and therefore costs their bottom line. Tractors, trucks, haydryers do much of their work.
BSE (mad cow disease) and subsidies: Years ago, a single cow cost them 45% of the cattle market. Unsold cattle that are at market weight cost money by the day. The ranchers had to sell them at a loss or risk losing more. Cattle ranchers have not recovered from the BSE scare, and BC (at 4%) has continually had the lowest subsidy of any state or province in Europe and North America.
Pine beetles and no subsidies: Given the long winters with deep snow in BC, competition with the rest of the world is difficult enough for ranchers. Now the pine beetles' stripping the trees of their needles causes the snowpack to melt fast in the spring and early summer thereby causing drought conditions in places it never existed before. Cattle also have more difficulty finding shade during the hottest days of summer, requiring even more water to be transported with vehicles paying the carbon tax.
A cattleman cannot process his own meat to sell to his next door neighbours. The cattle must be shipped long distances to a regulated slaughterhouse. This flies in the face of the province's lipservice to going green and buying locally.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/LAC.20090506.BCELECTIONNDP06ART2215/TPStory/National
crh
3 years ago
I reserve the right
to mention the mismanagement of this province by Campbell and the rest of his MLA's for the next eight years.
Wilfred Laurier
3 years ago
Facts?
"Where are the facts to support your claims"
OK, here are the facts to support my claims:
http://thetyee.ca/Blogs/TheHook/BC-Politics/2009/05/06/Liberals-slip-to-51-seats-in-projection/
http://www.trendlines.ca/electbc.htm
http://www.nodice.ca/elections/britishcolumbia/projections.php
My predictions are somewhat more conservative than the last two and very close to the first.
Cheers!
freebear
3 years ago
Ghosts of PMs past
Please no more encouragement of the 'old fart' Laurier!