Submitted
Provincial election candidates will hear from voters at a “reverse forum” on May 1.
After introductions and brief remarks, each candidate will spend 15 minutes in each of five small group sessions listening to citizens’ concerns and suggestions on a given topic. At the end, the candidates will have an opportunity to share their vision for change and commitment.
This public event will provide an opportunity for all five of the candidates in the May 9 provincial election to listen to and understand the concerns and suggestions from people in Nelson related to key social issues.
The event is sponsored by the Social Planning Action Network Nelson (SPAN) and Nelson United Church.
“Election campaigns need to discuss more than just jobs. Economic stability should not have to come at the cost of the most vulnerable in our community,” said George Chandler, the chair of SPAN. “Community services and provincial social initiatives and programs help everyone — children, parents, women, seniors, youth, and people with disabilities — and they need to be well-funded in order for communities to prosper.“
The five topics under discussion are Employment and Sustainable Livelihoods; Housing, Homelessness and Social Assistance; Mental Health and Substance Use; Children, Youth and Families (including childcare); and Seniors, Transportation and Community Inclusion.
“We know that other election forums will touch on some of these important social issues, as well as provide some opportunity for direct input to candidates,” said Rona Park, Executive Director of Nelson Community Services and moderator for the event.
“But this reverse forum is uniquely structured to ensure that whoever is elected will be fully informed of all the key social and health issues facing our community. So we invite people in Nelson to come out and express their concerns and ideas to the five candidates vying for public office.”
The forum runs from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Nelson United Church, 602 Silica St.