I would like to thank the Sundre and District Chamber of Commerce for enabling local residents to attend the Oct. 2 forum featuring all five federal candidates.
Public turnout was good, although I was disappointed not to see standing room only. It was a unique chance to hear our potential representative in person.
However, I have two complaints about the proceedings.
The first is that attendees were greeted by a large People’s Party of Canada sign at the entrance. Why was this party singled out for individualized attention? It was the only electoral sign as far I can remember—hardly an example of democracy.
My second complaint deals with the procedure for questions from the floor. They were vetted by a few people seated off to one side who, in my opinion, obviously came with their own interests and prejudices. I submitted three questions, none of which were selected. The most crucial asked about the parties’ policies for climate change reduction. I heard from two other attendees who had also submitted a question about climate change. I can only deduce that there are still individuals in the area, the vetting panel among them, who disagree with 98 per cent of the world’s scientists who are warning of increasing climatic disruption unless we change our ways. A fairer method of handling questions might have been through random selection.
In any case, thanks again to the chamber of commerce for organizing the election forum.
Sandy Easterbrook,
Bergen
