First federal forum fails to fill hall in Kelowna

KELOWNA – Eleven of 12 candidates in two federal ridings covering the Central Okanagan attended the campaign's first forum tonight, but there were many empty seats in the Mary Irwin Theatre in Kelowna.

The theatre is listed as seating 326 people but there must have been close to 100 empty seats as candidates faced four set questions from sponsors; the National Association of Federal Retirees and the Canadian Association of Retired Teachers at the forum tonight, Sept. 7.

Only Green Party candidate Travis Ashley could not attend because of a prior commitment to cater a wedding, but did provide a videotaped open comment.

The candidates were welcoming and supportive of each other. The audience seemed loudest in its applause and cheers for NDP candidates and least keen on the Marijuana Party nominees – although the largest applause during the opening comments went to the NDP’s Justin Kulik, who is running in Kelowna-Lake Country, when he announced he was the youngest federal candidate ever at 18.

Candidates for the Kelowna-Lake Country riding who attended were incumbent Liberal Stephen Fuhr, Conservative Tracy Gray, NDP Justin Kulik, Darrin Fiddler of the Marijuana Party. and John Barr of of the People’s Party.

For the Central Okanagan-Similkameen-Nicola riding, incumbent Conservative Dan Albas, Liberal Mary Ann Murphy, Joan Phillip of the NDP, the Green Party's Robert Mellailieu, the People's Party Allan Duncan and the Marijuana Party's Brynn Jones attended.

Election day is Oct. 21.

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