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Independent Living Vernon is inviting residents to People Place on Oct. 1 for a federal all candidates forum focusing on Canadians with disabilities.

It is the second all candidates forum the company has hosted in the past four years.

ILV support worker Lisa Briggs says more Canadians need to understand the government's Accessibility Act, considering at least one quarter of B.C. residents live with disabilities. 

"The issues that are concerning and extremely important for Canadians are access to the following: reasonable housing, medical and health benefits, nutrition, education, travel and more. People with disabilities are some of our most vulnerable. These issues are of grave concern especially with the opioid crisis among us."

"We want to provide an opportunity for all constituents of this riding to have a voice, to let those running know what is important to them and understand how each candidate will address it if elected."

Candidates in attendance will be Cindy Derkaz (Liberal), Harwinder Sandhu (NDP), Mel Arnold (Conservative), Kyle Selfing (PP) and Marc Reinarz (Green). 

The event kicks off at 6 p.m. with a meet and greet followed by the two-hour forum at 6:30 p.m. 

For more information, contact Briggs at 250-545-9292