Opinion: Hard for voters to makes fully informed decisions if candidates don't show up

Absentee candidates

Photo: Eli Pivnick

On Oct. 19, or between Oct. 10 and 16 in advanced polls or by mail, B.C. residents will vote for their provincial representatives.

Electing our MLAs is an essential part of the democratic process. However, the process only works effectively if voters have enough information to understand who the candidates are and what they stand for. If not, voters are simply gambling with their vote and making decisions on a questionable basis.

Until 2015, citizens concerned about environmental issues struggled to find information about most of our local candidates’ positions on these matters beyond broad provincial party platforms. The only all-candidate forum in Vernon was hosted by the Greater Vernon Chamber of Commerce. At that, few if any questions were asked about the environment.

In every municipal, provincial and federal election in Vernon since 2015, the Sustainable Environmental Network Society (SENS) has organized and hosted all-candidates’ forums on environmental Issues. SENS has acted as a non-partisan environmental advocate in the community for more than 50 years. Candidates have participated in these forums in every election, both by sending in written answers to questions sent to the candidates ahead of time and by attending the forum. That served Greater Vernon voters well.

In 2024, it is more obvious than ever that environmental issues are impacting all areas of our lives, including the economy— especially as climate change makes life increasingly complicated and costly.

At this year’s environmental forum, questions were asked about forestry, agriculture and the food system, action on climate change, water quality and quantity, a just transition for workers and biodiversity and ecosystem health.

This year there are two ridings that include resident of Greater Vernon—Vernon-Lumby and Kelowna-Lake Country-Coldstream. SENS invited candidates in both ridings to the forum at the Towne Cinema on Oct. 3. The event was recorded and is available on the SENS Facebook page, as are the written answers to questions sent to candidates ahead of time.

For the first time, several candidates did not participate in the SENS forum. While Vernon-Lumby candidate Harwinder Sandhu (NDP) and Kelowna-Lake Country-Coldstream candidates Kevin Kraft (independent), and Anna Warwick-Sears (NDP) participated, none of the other candidates did.

In Vernon-Lumby, Kevin Acton (independent) and Dennis Giesbrecht (B.C. Conservative) told SENS organizers they would not attend, while Robert Johnson (Libertarian) did not respond. In Kelowna-Lake Country-Coldstream, Andrew Rose (B.C. Green Party) declined in an email (he lives in Victoria) but did send in written responses, while Tara Armstrong (B.C. Conservative) did not respond.

On Oct.1, there was also an all-candidates’ forum at Okanagan College for the same two ridings. The same three candidates were present, with the addition of Acton, so, four out of eight candidates were present. All Vernon-Lumby candidates showed up for the chamber of commerce forum Oct. 5 . That forum was only for the Vernon-Lumby riding.

The disrespect of the missing candidates for the electorate was striking. The SENS forum attracted 230 people (in-person and on-line), while the Chamber of Commerce attracted a similar number in person. Clearly there was substantial interest in both. By not showing up for the SENS and Okanagan College forums, the implicit message sent by the missing candidates was environmental and youth issues are not important. That was a stunning and deeply disquieting message.

With election day approaching, voters are watching closely. In past elections, 2,000 to 3,000 people viewed the SENS forum recording before voting. They remember who showed up for them and who advocated for their rights. British Columbia needs courageous leaders who engage on all issues, from reproductive rights and LGBTQ2+ rights, to the economy, from the environment to housing and health care, and who will support all British Columbians especially in times of need.

We cannot afford to have leaders who disappear when their presence is needed.

The refusal of candidates to participate is unprecedented and undemocratic, and it significantly compromises voters’ ability to make informed choices.

Eli Pivnick is a former Agriculture Canada entomologist and high school teacher and is a member of Climate Action Now! North Okanagan.