WEST Vancouver-Capilano electoral district candidates faced the voters and each other at the Kay Meek Centre on Sunday.
The meeting, courtesy of the West Vancouver Memorial Library Foundation, saw the 500-seat theatre barely one-quarter full..
Incumbent Liberal MLA Ralph Sultan focused on what he said are major accomplishments by the Liberal party such as growing the economy and fostering economic stability.
"You have a choice, go forward or go backwards," he said. "Are we willing to put at risk all we have achieved with a radical change in direction?"
Independent Michael Markwick targeted youth mental health and homelessness issues rising in the area.
"There has been a tripling in the rate of suicidal youth who are presenting themselves in emergency at Lions Gate Hospital," he said. "This is the only health region in British Columbia without psychiatric beds for children and youth."
NDP candidate Terry Platt said her goals were creating skilled workers fostering the economy by improving education opportunities.
B.C. Libertarian candidate Tunya Audain promoted her party's goals of reducing government involvement in business and arts subsidies as it "interferes with free expression."
She said she wanted to create more accessible choices for parents to educate their children either through public, private or home schooling.
Conservative candidate David Jones said the most important issue is the economy, and as MLA his goal would be to create a province with a balanced budget.
Candidates faced questions on topics ranging from the economy to youth mental health services in the area.
The first question was for Platt who was asked about her party's stance on the Kinder-Morgan pipeline and setting standards for development, and how the NDP plans to pay for its campaign promises.
"The amount put into the economy, the amount put into programs is essentially the same amount of money the B.C. Liberals have said they're going to put into programs - we've just redistributed it," she said.
Platt prioritized the environment over financial gain. Strengthening current environmental standards faced by companies that utilize natural resources is preferable to shutting those companies down, according to Platt.
"We don't want Vancouver to be a major oil-exporting port," she said.
Platt said the product isn't ordinary oil as it contains bitumen, which sinks to the ocean floor and is absorbed into the food chain.
Conservative candidate Jones stated, "B.C. is open for business. The oil will get to the coast one way or another."
In his research, Jones said the pipeline is the safest route and transportation via trucks or railways is riskier.
Independent candidate Markwick agreed with Platt that the pipeline deal isn't good enough yet, and it could potentially harm the local economy as well. "If there's a spill the cost rides on the taxpayers," he said. "At the end of the day, we need an economy of brains, not bitumen."
Sultan said Vancouver has been exporting oil for 60 years, and residents shouldn't condemn the plan until it has been presented.
Candidates were asked about their party's platforms and how realistic that is in terms of budget.
Sultan, as a former economist, said, "This is a time for fiscal prudence, this is a time for belt-tightening."
The Liberal budget has "passed the economist test" he said, but the NDP's will not. "It's a very real budget, unlike other parties represented on the table today."
Platt defended the NDP's budget, saying new taxes being discussed will only apply to the wealthiest two per cent and to corporations, and 98 per cent of the province will not feel the burden. These taxes and a change in spending will pay for the campaign promises the NDP has made, she said.
Audain supported cutting government subsidies and the decriminalization, safe distribution and taxation of marijuana. "That should bring in some nice income," she said.
Jones said the Conservative budget is public record and promises it's "a balanced budget and is a real budget."
Candidates were then questioned on what their priorities are in education for West Vancouver youth.
Markwick said his research has proven "terrifying" and that adults aged 18-35 are earning less annual income than the same age group in 1975. He said education is key to providing a "knowledge-based economy," where smarter individuals lead to better decisions.
Platt said the NDP will increase funding for childhood education and offer forgivable grants for the trades, to foster growth in the trade industry.
"Everybody needs a plumber, not everybody needs a lawyer," she said.
Jones said the education system needs to be retooled into a more European style model where government and business meet to discuss the future needs of the country, providing a guide as to what will be needed in education for an employable workforce.
Sultan said West Vancouver schools are "high performing" and "if it ain't broke, don't fix it."
He also said there's a disconnect in terms of what jobs are needed and what students are taught to do.
A young man stepped to the microphone and asked the candidates how they would increase faith in the political system and create a stronger youth voter turnout.
Platt said the typical view of politicians as liars is unfair.
"We're not, we're ordinary people," she said.
Markwick said the disinterest comes from promises made but not being followed through.
Sultan said the disinterest is partially to blame on social media, which spends "a lot of time talking about what rascals we are." He said democracy is alive and well, and joked that aside from having police go out and arrest those who don't vote, he's not sure what to do.
Jones said the system of party politics is disheartening and can be a problem for some. He advocated more transparent government to earn the trust of the people, and free votes for MLAs.
