All Candidates Townhall Forum 2024
Posted on 10/01/2024
A town hall event for the upcoming provincial general election has been planned for Golden.
The event is being organized by the Kicking Horse Chamber of Commerce in partnership with the Wildsight Society, and the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society - British Columbia (CPAWS-BC). The Golden town hall will take place at the Golden Civic Centre on Monday, October 7 with doors opening at 4:00pm and the question period starting at 5:00pm. Voters are encouraged to come early and mingle.
There are many important issues on the table for this election and we also encourage you to email any questions you may have to [email protected]
The forum is non-partisan and all candidates in the riding have confirmed to attend, including Andrea Dunlop from the BC NDP, Scott McInnis from the Conservative Party of BC, and Calvin Beauchesne from the BC Green Party. Candidates will have a chance to share ideas and plans with the audience on key issues that are front and centre in BC and the constituency.
About the Local MLA candidates:
Andrea Dunlop (NDP): A retired high school teacher from Windermere, Andrea Dunlop is excited to take part in the provincial election, noting “the issues we encounter in rural areas are distinct — whether it’s access to health care, education, or employment opportunities. We need to listen to our communities and create strategies that reflect their specific needs,” She is committed to addressing the issues facing small towns in rural BC and is eager to be her constituents’ voice in the legislature.
Scott McInnis (Conservatives): Scott McInnis is a dedicated educator and community leader who has proudly called Kimberley, home since 2010. His passion for parliamentary democracy was further ignited in 2022 when he was selected to participate in the Teacher Institute for Parliamentary Democracy in Victoria, marking the beginning of his journey into politics. Scott also adds “I am truly humbled to have the opportunity to earn the support of our community and I look forward to bringing forward real solutions and new ideas to tackle the failing policies of the NDP,” said McInnis. “The Conservatives are the only party with the track-record and ideas to fix the crises we are facing in health care, cost-of-living and crime — and I look forward to advocating for you each and every day.”
Calvin Beauchesne (Greens): An experienced environmental leader based in Golden, Calvin Beauchesne is passionate about serving the Columbia River-Revelstoke riding. Calvin adds, "I wanted to get into politics because my entire life I've been frustrated with the lack of action from our leaders to address the biggest challenge of our time- climate crisis. Every year more records get broken and another town burns down. Climate disasters like heat domes, atmospheric rivers and mega-wildfires are costing our economy billions of dollars, and are taking a massive toll on mental health, physical health and people's livelihoods and culture. Climate action is a tremendous opportunity to create good, green jobs for people in this province; as the world moves to a post-carbon economy we simply can't afford to be left behind."
About the organizer:
Kicking Horse Country Chamber of Commerce was established in 1979. It is a membership-driven organization that works to support, grow and promote the business community of Golden, BC. Led by an Executive and Board of Directors we are diligent in representing the voice of all businesses, large or small, with the intention of strategically creating a vibrant and sustainable economic climate for our community.
CPAWS-BC is part of one of Canada’s oldest non-profit conservation groups. We advocate for the protection of wilderness in every corner of BC and deep into the ocean. We work with Indigenous, provincial and federal governments with the goal of creating large protected and interconnected areas: places that can nurse nature through climate change and shelter plants and animals forever.
Wildsight works locally, regionally and globally to protect biodiversity and inspire a shared desire to protect Canada’s Columbia and Rocky Mountain regions for future generations. We envision extensive and connected wild spaces for wildlife—from grizzly bears to woodpeckers to trout. We envision clean air and clear water running from mountain watersheds to our lakes. We see thriving and sustainable communities made up of engaged and educated citizens.