Liberal Takes Heat At Forum

The Liberal MLA got a bit of a rough ride from the crowd at a forum for the Vernon Monashee candidates Tuesday night.

About 160 people packed the Vernon Secondary School theatre for the event which focused on education, with many teachers and support staff on hand.

Liberal Eric Foster faced the toughest questions and got some jeers, which didn’t surprise him.

“The folks in education have a lot of good questions. And our relationship with the BC Teachers Fed hasn’t exactly been harmonious the last few years, so I expected it to go exactly as it did,” Foster told Kiss FM.

Foster says hopefully with the Supreme Court ruling on class size and composition, and new money for education, the Liberals can concentrate on kids and education if they are re-elected May 9.

NDP candidate Barry Dorval got a warm reception from the crowd.

He felt it was a good chance for people to talk about education.

“You heard a lot of frustration about what’s gone on, so it was good to finally give people an avenue to express that, and maybe start getting some answers for what’s happened over the last 15 years,” says Dorval.

Keli Westgate of the Green Party got a good reception to many of her comments.

“I’m quite pleased with how it went. Great questions, really in depth. I think it was right the Liberals’ feet got held to the fire, and it seemed like I got a strong response to my answers,” Westgate told Kiss FM.

Don Jefcoat of the Libertarian Party also feels he got a positive response.

“On education, I was able to present very well our party plan. Any my own positions as well. A lot of people think it’s just the party, but I do come to the table with my own positions.”

Supporting students with mental health issues, the subsidy given to private schools, reducing the need for parents to fundraise, post secondary funding, school closures, poverty, and lowering the voting age to 16 were some of the questions.

The 2.5 hour forum was put on by the District Parent Advisory Council, The Vernon Teachers Association and CUPE, and was moderated by Mel Maglio.

The four candidates will be on Kiss FM for an open line show starting at 6 pm tonight.

The number to call or text with a question is 250 545 7557.