Environmental issues to be debated at Penticton all-candidates forum

PENTICTON – Federal election candidates in the riding of South Okanagan-West Kootenay will get a chance to square off against each other in an all-candidates debate on Oct.15.

Environmental group First Things First Okanagan is hosting the debate, which takes place at the Penticton Lakeside Resort on Tuesday, Oct. 15, starting at 6 p.m. with a round table discussion.

According to the organization's newsletter, the public is invited to meet prior to the debate to discuss issues of importance to the riding. Discussions are scheduled to take 40 minutes with one or two questions formulated from the discussions to pose to candidates.

Each candidate will be asked four questions during the debate:

• What are the key elements of an action plan to ensure Canada transitions to a low carbon economy?
• What role should the federal government play in protecting Canadian waters?
• How would the candidate ensure biodiversity will be sustained and restored?
• How can Canadians be protected from the health and environmental impacts of toxic substances?

The group says the debate is intended to be a non-partisan look at environmental issues important to the riding and to Canada.

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