Residents of Bonnyville won't be hearing from all of the Lakeland riding candidates in the upcoming election forum, after a scheduling conflict between the Bonnyville Chamber of Commerce and the Manniwanis Friendship Centre in St. Paul has left both parties on the offence.
Earlier this month the Friendship Centre and Chamber both sent out invitations to candidates to speak at forums on Oct. 5, with both groups receiving commitment from just two candidates each. Now, the Friendship Centre is saying the Chamber has showed “no respect and no consideration.”
“They came in a week after we began ours and decided they wanted that date and that was it,” said Jim White, organizer of the Friendship Centre forum. “We're just going ahead and, needless to say, the Chamber is just raining on our parade. The Chamber doesn't hold the monopoly on candidates.”
The issue was brought to attention last week when a news release was circulated to media written by Nancy Mereska, campaign coordinator for NDP candidate Duane Zaraska. In the release, Mereska outlines how the Friendship Centre scheduled first (on Sept. 3) and it is important for the Friendship Centre to host a forum as it is the major shopping area for six Métis settlements and native bands. She also noted that she had asked to send someone to represent Zaraska in the forum in Bonnyville, but that request was denied.
“I spoke with a counselor at Elections Canada and she said she could not find where it is an offence to schedule two forums on the same night in the same riding. I registered a formal complaint – have not heard,” the release stated.
It went on to say, “We feel this is pure discrimination against the Indigenous communities of the St. Paul/Bonnyville areas.”
Zaraska himself, on the other hand, apologized for the release saying that he did not authorize it nor does it reflect his personal views.
“It's not about discrimination, it's just about working out the details of the dates. I support the Chamber fully, the Chamber is the business community and I support the business community 100 percent. It has nothing to do with discrimination at all from my perspective, at all,” Zaraska said.
The Friendship Centre's forum is in addition to one being held by the St. Paul Chamber of Commerce on Sept. 29. President of the Bonnyville Chamber of Commerce Robyn Ducharme said they followed their usual protocol when it comes to planning an electoral forum, and it's all just a matter of miscommunication.
“It's purely an organizational conflict with dates. We had chosen our dates by being in contact with all of the Chambers in our riding because, of course, being in a federal election we have quite a large riding with a lot of different communities,” Ducharme explained. “It wasn't until we got some responses back saying ‘no we can't make it' that we actually figured out there was another forum with the Friendship Centre in St. Paul.”
After finding out that the Friendship Centre was hosting a forum on the same night, Ducharme said they tried to find another date that would suit all of the candidates but that wasn't a possibility.
“With the candidates that we did have secured it just wasn't going to work out with any other date. Seeing that we do have at least 50 percent of the candidates coming out, we're going to move forward with our forum.”
In addition to Zaraska representing the NDPs, Liberal candidate Gary Parenteau has also committed to attending the forum at the Friendship Centre. Both Zaraska and Parenteau are concerned not having an outlet to voice their platforms in Bonnyville, but believe there is still time for the scheduling to be ironed out.
“It's just that there are alternative dates available and if they wish to change to those dates I'd be more than happy to accommodate them. I know I made my commitment to the Friendship Centre, they called first and I don't want to start my campaign off by breaking promises,” said Parenteau.
Zaraska added, “I'm really upset about the situation...I would like the opportunity to be in Bonnyville, there's no question about it. I'd like to be at every forum and I still think it is possible (to work this out).”
Chamber-organized forums in St. Paul and Bonnyville are open to all residents in the area. While they haven't participated in the electoral process in the past, White said it's crucial for the aboriginal people to start getting more involved in politics.
“It's time that aboriginal people took their rightful place and participated in the election process,” said White, adding that they're more likely to attend an event at the Friendship Centre. “The Friendship Centre is a safe haven, it's their home away from home and they feel comfortable here.”
One of the candidates that will be attending the Bonnyville forum is Conservative Shannon Stubbs. In a statement issued through her campaign team, Stubbs commended the work of Chamber of Commerce's throughout the Lakeland.
“(Shannon Stubbs) looks forward to participating in the forum hosted by the St. Paul Chamber of Commerce that is open to all residents of St. Paul, as well as the surrounding rural area and First Nations and Métis communities in the area. She is also thankful to the Bonnyville Chamber of Commerce for organizing an all candidates forum, in which she is happy to participate...”
Libertarian candidate Robert McFadzean is also scheduled to participated in the Bonnyville forum. Currently the only debate scheduled in Bonnyville for the federal election, as it sits now residents won't get a chance to formally hear from Zaraska or Parenteau before heading to the polls on Oct. 19.
“We're just hopeful that we do have as many people come out to our forum as possible. The Bonnyville area is just as deserving as any other to hear from the candidates,” said Ducharme. “We did the best we could to schedule a date that works for everybody and unfortunately it didn't happen that way.”
The all candidates forum in Bonnyville is being held on Oct. 5 at Dr. Brosseau Middle School, doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the debate starts at 7. Candidates will give an opening statement, followed by some prepared questions from the Chamber before entering into a question and answer period with constituents.
