POWELL RIVER, B.C. – Hundreds of eager residents gathered together at Powell River’s Evergreen Theatre for an all-candidates forum Tuesday night.

The Powell River Chamber of Commerce hosted the forum.

“They had to open up the back area, which from my understanding they haven’t had to over the last two all-candidates meetings that have happened there, so definitely some added interest this year,” said Chamber President Cory Carr.

He estimated there was close to or even more than 300 people at the venue.

“I think the candidates were well received, and I think the candidates who were not as well known in the community had a good chance to profile themselves, to get a little bit more known by the general public,” he said.

Carr noted that there were two major topics that attracted discussion.

“Definitely the Inn at Westview was a major issue and was brought up a couple of times in sort of different ways in terms of bylaws or also what could have been done differently and what could we do from here, that was definitely interesting and a key item for a lot of people,” Carr explained.

“Another item was sewage treatment. I was glad that those items were addressed because you could tell that a lot of people were thinking the same thing.”

Carr said overall, the event was a great success.

“We (the chamber) were very glad to be a part of the event, it was definitely a great turnout and the city did their best with expanding the room and fitting everyone in. Everybody had a chance afterwards to hang out, ask extra questions and just get that face to face time with candidates,” he said.

Voters head to the polls for the municipal election on October 20th.

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POWELL RIVER, B.C. – Residents are invited to discuss and learn more about electoral reform in Canada at an event later this month.

The Powell River Library hosts the citizen’s information session on Saturday, May 26 from 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Library spokesperson Mark Merlino said speakers at the event will include Powell River-Sunshine Coast MLA Nicholas Simons, former MLA Gordon Wilson, Electoral Area C Director Colin Palmer and Fair Vote Powell River’s Bill Smith.

Fair Vote Powell River is a chapter of Fair Vote BC, a group supporting electoral reform and the campaign for proportional representation.

“There’s four different local politicians who are going to be sharing their own experiences about elections,” Merlino said.

“The discussion is going to be the upcoming referendum in British Columbia about proposed changes to the way our elections work in the province, making it a proportional system or not and each person will share their views about that, the advantages and disadvantages based on that topic.”

Merlino said registration is not required, and all residents are welcome to attend the event at the Powell River Library.

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Rachel Blaney’s bid to have housing declared a right has been defeated.

The Liberal party has voted against the North Island-Powell River Member of Parliament’s private member’s bill.

Blaney says the government did acknowledge her on the housing issue work, but there was a downside.

"I was happy to have the Minister come over prior to the vote and let me know that a lot of the work that we've done has definitely had an influence on the National Housing Strategy that the Liberals put forward. When I asked him if they would be looking at legislating the Right to Housing, he would not answer that question."

Blaney added she does have some concerns with the national housing strategy. Those being the fact that most of the money earmarked for the program won’t start flowing until after 2019 and that it does not include a section for Indigenous people.

A separate plan for Indigenous communities is being worked on.

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The NDP Member of Parliament for Courtenay-Alberni says the federal government needs to establish a national strategy to combat plastic pollution in aquatic environments.

Gord Johns says a leaked Parks Canada memo about the thousands of plastic feed bags that escaped from an aquaculture farm into the ocean was riddled with concerns about negative press but contained no plan to deal with the spill.

He told the House of Commons that the Feds care a thousand times more about their image than protecting the environment.

"Will the Liberals apologize to Vancouver Islanders and finally act to create a permanent, dedicated and annual fund to help with marine debris clean-ups," he asked.

Minister of Environment and Climate Change Catherine McKenna says Parks Canada is involved with the clean-up.

"We will continue to work very hard to ensure that we protect our oceans. As you know, we have our Oceans Protection Plan [and] we are absolutely committed to protecting our oceans to to protecting our environment."

Johns says the Feds need to establish a national strategy to combat plastic pollution in aquatic environments.

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North Island-Powell River MP NDP Rachel Blaney has big plans to improve the lives of seniors throughout the region.

Blaney says she'll be working with a standing committee to develop a National Seniors Strategy during the Fall session of Parliament.

"Now we have more seniors in Canada than we do children under 14," she says.

Blaney says during a number of town halls she held across the riding this last session, seniors' issues were a major topic of discussion.

"Having a National Seniors Strategy really will address issues for seniors. It will be both socially wise and fiscally wise which I think is very important and we know that so many seniors are falling through the cracks."

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The MLA-elect for the North Island says the deal between the BC Green and BC NDP caucuses is an exciting time for British Columbians.

The formal agreement has been ratified by both caucuses and has been presented to the lieutenant-governor. Claire Trevena says the agreement is a unique opportunity for cooperation in the legislature.

"It's about making life affordable, making sure that we have sustainable long-term jobs, making sure that democracy works for people and [making sure] that the services of BC work for people again."

Premier-elect Christy Clark has said that she will recall the legislature soon, acknowledging that her party will face a confidence vote likely by the end of June.

"This will allow us to work cooperatively to ensure we are working for people of BC," Trevena says.

Claire Trevena notes that overall, the agreement is a positive move for all British Columbians.

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The BC Greens and BC New Democratic Party caucuses have ratified one of the most historic agreements in the province's history.

The two parties have agreed to work together to hold a referendum in 2018 on electoral reform, stop the Kinder Morgan pipeline expansion and improve transit across British Columbia.

NDP Leader John Horgan says he's looking forward to working for the people of BC alongside Green Party leader Andrew Weaver. "After 16 years of working for the people at the top, we will now have a government that focuses on the rest of British Columbia," he says.

Horgan says a major priority is to make life more affordable for British Columbians.

Provincial Green Party Leader Andrew Weaver says there are many reasons why his party decided to work with the NDP over the BC Liberals.

He says that, "when I entered into politics back in 2013, I could not stand by and watch the dismantling of an economy that was growing in the new 21st century fashion.

With the BC NDP, I find a partner that will actually position British Columbia in the new economy, create and distribute jobs from North to South and East to West."

NDP Leader John Horgan says he believes that the public wants change and his party, along with the BC Greens can deliver that change.

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A mother and teacher on the Sunshine Coast believe more needs to be done in our province so there are more options for child care.

Rachel Horst says she has two kids under the age of five and it's been impossible to find any child care providers.

She believes there are not enough child care providers locally and the job isn't that enticing considering how much they are paid.

"The pay rate is quite low given that it's a 2-year program and we don't offer that program on the Coast so what I've been hearing is that people are having a really hard time finding qualified workers."

Horst has made a 13-minute documentary podcast about the lack of available child care locally and it's currently circulating on Facebook.

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The 2017 provincial election led to a close call in the riding of Courtenay-Comox.

The NDP's Ronna-Rae Leonard edged Liberal candidate Jim Benninger by just 9 votes.

Elections BC has confirmed that there will be a recount of the votes, and Leonard says it's now a matter of waiting in anticipation for the outcome of the final count.

She notes no matter what the result of the final count and recount in Courtenay-Comox, she's excited to work for the residents of the riding.

"I think we've had 16 years of neglect and it's an opportunity to serve and make real choices that help people in terms of affordability and provision of the services they need, and addressing climate change and electoral reform. The world is our oyster."

The final count takes place between May 22nd and 24th.

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Powell River City Council is accepting applications for the Youth Council.

The Youth Council is made up of youth, aged 13 to 24, to provide input and feedback to city Councillors.

CaroleAnn Leishman says they're looking for someone who is keen on learning more about local government.

"They learn how to run a proper meeting, go through an agenda and they have the ability to put different topics of concern or discussion on the agenda and they have an ability to make recommendations to council."

Anyone interested can apply through the city's website at: powellriver.ca/2017-youth-council.

Applications will be accepted until June 1st. The term will begin in September.

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