Richmond candidates looking to score some last minute points with voters made their pitches at the final all candidates meeting Wednesday night.
Organized by the Touchstone Family Association, the he group answered questions from a packed room at the Vancouver Marriott Hotel that ranged from where candidates stood on adding gay and lesbian topics to the high school curriculum, and what their stance is on boosting B.C.'s minimum wage.
Nathaniel Lim, the BC Conservatives candidate in Richmond East said his party's position on education is to provide more input from parents on what schools should offer.
"If there are certain electives they want in schools they (parents) can work with the teachers and administration," Lim said.
Gian Sihota, the NDP's candidate in Richmond East said the subject was a question of human rights and equality.
"And the BC NDP's record is very clear on this human rights issue," he added. "There's no way in this society that any person should be discriminated against based on their own choices."
Incumbent B.C. Liberal MLA Linda Reid, who is a teacher, said a strong curriculum is critical for youngsters grappling with the issue of their sexuality.
"Because, it is about dignity," Reid said. "I believe very much we need to support our family members, your family members, because we do not have the right to make that choice for anyone else."
On subject of eliminating child poverty in B.C. estimated to be the second highest in the country Richard Lee, independent candidate for Richmond Centre, delivered an impassioned response that detailed his own family's battle with poverty.
Lee said that when he filed his papers to run in the election he committed to donate half of his MLA's pension and wages to widows, seniors, single parents, and orphans in memory of his mother who passed away two years ago at age 89.
"She was widowed at age 32, and brought the four of us (siblings) up in child poverty conditions," Lee said. "And she was orphaned at age four. And I lost my father when I was four. So, I will do this in loving memory of my mother of whom I am so proud."
Carol Day, the BC Conservatives candidate in Richmond-Steveston praised Lee's stand.
"That's the kind of independent thinking we need in government," she said. "Let's get creative."
Day went on to say that as a former school trustee she has seen the effects of child poverty first-hand.
"I was appalled at how many kids don't have any food in their belly when they go to school in the morning," she said.
Day said her party's plan to reduce the numbers is by bringing businesses back to B.C. and provide more jobs.
"That way there are no hungry kids if there are no hungry parents."
John Yap, the B.C. Liberal incumbent for Richmond-Steveston said child poverty is an important issue for all candidates, regardless of their political stripe.
"How we get to a place where we resolve and deal with this issue is where our differences approach," he said, adding the B.C. Liberals believe the best way to handle the matter is creating jobs.
"That's why we have focused our campaign on a strong economy for a strong future, and that secure future includes lifting up people who are low income."
