Locals will be given the opportunity to attend not only one, but two candidate forums prior to the Oct. 19 federal election in St. Paul, with the St. Paul and District Chamber of Commerce organizing one for the evening of Sept. 29, followed by a forum hosted by the Mannawanis Centre on Oct. 5.
However, the Mannawanis Centre’s forum sparked some clashes last week, as it coincides with the date set by the Bonnyville Chamber of Commerce’s forum.
Now, the Friendship Centre is saying the Bonnyville Chamber has shown “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.”
White says he’s been involved with the St. Paul friendship centre for many years. He has also been involved in politics throughout his life, and believes First Nations people need to take a bigger role in the democratic process.
“Our voice has been silent for so long,” says White. Although the event is open to everyone, he especially encourages First Nations people to attend the forum, which Liberal candidate Gerry Parenteau and NDP candidate Duane Zaraska have confirmed they will attend. Conservative candidate Shannon Stubbs and Libertarian candidate Robert McFadzean will not attend, as they will be attending the Bonnyville forum.
“The friendship centre is a safe haven,” says White, adding, “It’s a place to speak freely.” He believes some people will feel more comfortable attending a forum at the friendship centre, as opposed to other venues.
The issue was brought to wider 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 said it was important for the Friendship Centre to host a forum, as St. Paul 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 Bonnyville forum, 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.”
A day after Mereska sent out her news release, Zaraska sent an email apologizing for the news release being sent and the implications it made.
“It is my intent to continue to work toward a reasonable solution with regards to the conflicting scheduling of the forums and with the hope that a solution can be found. The NDP is not a party of divisiveness and we intend to maintain that ideology,” he wrote.
President of the Bonnyville Chamber of Commerce Robyn Ducharme said the chamber followed its usual protocol when it comes to planning an electoral forum, and it's all just a matter of miscommunication.
Ducharme explained that Bonnyville set its date after checking with various other Chambers of Commerce in the large federal riding. “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.”
Ducharme said the chamber 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.”
Both Zaraska and Parenteau are concerned about 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.
In a statement issued through her campaign team, Stubbs commended the work of Chambers of Commerce 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.”
All four candidates for the Lakeland riding have confirmed their attendance at the St. Paul & District Chamber of Commerce’s election forum, to be held Sept. 29.
“A lot of people are very unsure as to what they’re choosing to do at this point,” says chamber executive director Linda Sallstrom. Her prediction for the federal election is that people will be deciding whom to vote for only as they are heading to the polls.
She hopes the forum can help constituents decide which candidate “represents them and their community the best.” Hosting the election forum is something Sallstrom views as a responsibility in her position with the chamber. Offering the public a chance to understand what the politicians represent, and giving people a venue to hear the politicians is crucial in the lead-up to the election.
When asked if she has heard any talk of major issues being discussed in the community, Sallstrom says the downturn in the economy is something she believes concerns people.
“We also have the larger issue of the Syrian refugees . . . it’s a global issue that comes down to our homes as well,” says Sallstrom.
The upcoming election forum will take place at the St. Paul Rec. Centre. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., and opening comments will take place at about 7 p.m.
Written questions will be accepted, along with an open mic being available to those who wish to ask questions out loud. Following the one-hour long question period, refreshments will be served and constituents will be allowed to speak with politicians if they wish.
