Candidates in the Battlefords-Lloydminster electoral district were back in action this past week at two more Chamber-sponsored election forums.
One of them was in Unity Tuesday night, while the second took place in Lloydminster Wednesday. Candidates Conservative Gerry Ritz, Liberal Larry Ingram, New Democrat Glenn Tait and independent Doug Anguish attended. Once again, Green candidate Mikaela Tenkink did not participate.
The Lloydminster event, held before a good turnout of voters at the Civic Centre, was hosted by the Lloydminster Chamber of Commerce.
In addition to Battlefords-Lloydminster, the evening included a second forum with candidates in Lakeland, the newly-created Lloydminster riding on the Alberta side of the border.
This forum was decidedly toned down compared to the one held in North Battleford the week before. That event featured booing as well as an angry outburst by Tait over the demise of the Canadian Wheat Board.
Candidates were on their best behaviour for the most part, likely due to a format in which they were limited to about 40 seconds to give concise answers to the questions posed to them.
Another distinguishing characteristic was the inclusion of questions on some hot-button issues.
Questions raised included legalizing marijuana and where the candidates stood on the controversial issue of physician-assisted suicide.
On the latter, Ritz responded extensive discussion is needed and pointed out “doctors themselves are starting to show a lot of reticence that they would be the one making the decision that, really, they have some major concerns with.”
“We think we need to take the time to get that right,” said Ritz.
Anguish said he agreed with doctor-assisted suicide. Tait was also in favour of it, but “we need to be so very, very careful,” he added. “This is the very definition of a life and death choice. The safeguards have to be … almost impassible.”
Ingram made it known he was not in favour of suicide of any kind, and cited a personal reason for his stance. He said his son committed suicide four years ago.
“And that hits really, really hard every day, every hour,” said Ingram. “So if you think for a second that I’m going to stand by and allow somebody else to have doctor-assisted suicide unless it’s really, really responsible, you’ve got another thought coming.”
The issue of marijuana was also raised. To no one’s surprise Ritz was not in favour of legalization.
“The problem that we have is there’s no actual testing regime now for driving or working under the influence of, and that’s where problems start to arise,” said Ritz. He also pointed to problems in Colorado, where marijuana was decriminalized, and noted they were finding “kids as young as 10 on the playgrounds” doing this at recess.
“Legalization is a whole pandora’s box that we should be scared to open,” said Ritz.
Ingram said his Liberal party would be legalizing “to a degree” and said “it would cut the criminal profit out.” Tait repeated his party’s official position was to decriminalize, “and I’m perfectly fine with that,” he said.
Plenty of other topics were discussed including the military, veterans, provincial border issues, seniors’ issues, as well as the Trans-Pacific Partnership, for which a major deal was announced earlier in the week.
Candidates now continue with their campaigns. Ritz was planning to attend more forums and meetings, as well as a campaign luncheon planned for the Tropical Inn. Tait was holding an event Thursday morning to open his campaign office on 98th Street in North Battleford.
Ingram reported a steady stream of sign requests were coming in to his campaign, and Anguish now has his campaign office open on 100th Street in North Battleford.
