There was a full house for the first all-candidates forum for the federal election.
The six candidates hoping to be elected as the Member of Parliament for the Kenora riding Wednesday evening at Seven Generations Education Insitute.
The topics of discussion included health care and the environment.
Liberal Bob Nault, who is the incumbent, talked a lot about the All-Nations Hospital.
“I feel good about the fact that people don’t see this as some sort of pipe dream. They do believe in themselves now that we can get a new facility…a new modern hospital and health care hub that meets the needs of the entire population.”
Nault first mentioned the need for the All-Nations Hospital four years ago at a similar forum.
In the meantime, the newest member of the federal campaign is Michael Di Pasquale.
He talks about why he’s running for the People’s Party of Canada.
“(The party’s platform) makes so much sense…and it’s going to do away so many of the inefficiencies we have in this country.”
Eric Melillo from the Conservatives talked about the need for twinning the Trans-Canada Highway to the border.
“We had a provincial, federal and liberal government and Bob Nault sat silent while the province pulled the province away from the region and delayed the project. with all of the years of experience that supposedly to matter, it didn’t seem to matter than because there have been zero kilometres constructed.
For independent candidate Kelvin Boucher-Chicago, this is his third federal election and says party system is broken.
“A lot of the (parties) make promises. In my book, when you don’t come through on a promise you’re lying…you’re lying to the people.”
Rudy Turtle of the NDP says it’s been a rewarding experience so far.
“I feel good. Sometimes it gets a little tiring but it’s okay. It’s a new experience….I never dreamed of going into federal politics so it’s amazing.”
For her part, Kirsi Ralko from the Green Party is trying to use her legal, business and council career to her benefit.
“My experience on City Council has led me to want to effect real change in ways that we simply can’t on Council. That’s the big motivator behind my federal campaign.”
Another Forum took place last night in Oxdrift.
Other all-candidate forums include one in Sioux Lookout on Tuesday October 8th at the Royal Canadian Legion at 6:30pm and in Red Lake on the 10th at the Cochenour Community Hall at 6:30pm as well.
Election day is October 21st.
