Everything from privatizing education, to MLA salaries was brought up at the all-candidates meeting hosted by the Richmond Teacher's association last Thursday.
But despite the questions, the answers frequently came back to governance.
Candidates appeared sensitive to the notion that, too often, elected officials spend more time bringing the government's message to the people, than taking the people's message to government.
Of the 19 candidates
running in Richmond, 11 showed up. Linda Reid was the only BC Liberal, and only four of the seven Richmond Centre candidates were present. The format was such that a question was posed and each candidate was given a minute to respond. There were no follow-up questions.
Governance
Green candidate Jerome Dickey (Richmond-Steveston) and BC Conservative Carol Day (Richmond-Steveston) stressed the need for local, grass roots governance.
Dickey said the Green Party would focus on ways to grow the local economy and support small business. While Day, a former school trustee, argued local school boards should have the freedom to make decisions that are appropriated for their unique districts.
NDP candidate Gian Sihota (Richmond East) said an NDP government wouldn't fire school trustees if they don't follow government directives.
"They (trustees) are the elected representatives of the people," NDP Scott Stewart (Richmond-Steveston) added.
Stewart also said an NDP government would listen to the expert advice of the teachers and scrap the Fundamental Skills Assessments.
Unparty candidate Mike Donovan (Richmond-Steveston) took the concept of participatory democracy further, harkening back to the ancient Greeks, suggesting regular citizen assemblies be held to let all views be aired.
This would inspire creative thinking and increase voter engagement.
"Tens of thousands of people won't vote in Richmond - something's wrong."
Independent candidates, Richard Lee (Richmond Centre) and Ping Chan (Richmond East) pointed to their ability to best represent the local electorate because they are not tied to a party.
"Being an independent lets me take my orders from you. You are my boss, not the party," said Lee
BC Liberal Linda Reid (Richmond East) said, "It's all about respect. It's all about relationship" and said her government was able to implement full-day kindergarten thanks to an enormous amount of consultation with stakeholders.
Funding:
On the question of funding, Linda Reid defended the government record, saying that funding per student has increased under the Liberal government.
Day said the BC Conservatives would ensure school districts received stable, four-year funding, so they could manage their money and not be "micromanaged" by government.
Stewart noted that the BC Liberals have made significant cuts to education, specifically in the areas of special education, ESL and librarians. The NDP would restore that funding by increasing corporate taxes, and taxes on high income earners (people earning more than $150,000/year)
BC Conservative Nathaniel Lim (Richmond East) said the only way to pay for education is by growing the economy, while B.C. Green Party candidate Michael Wolfe (Richmond Centre) said additional education funding needs to come from increased taxes on the industries that lead to addiction and poor health - gambling, and oil and gas.
? Full story at www.richmond-news.com.
