Since the
debate about the federal Election debates has begun , we have been able to read
in the Townsman and other media sources statements such as ……
Revelstoke Times, Nelson Star,
In a news release, the Conservative
Party said they would only take part in debates organized by local Chambers of
Commerce and only between September 21st and October 2nd.
Voting is a solemn obligation. The conduct of formal debates should reflect
that and be encouraged by organizations that are non-partisan.
Yet, Wilks said lack of Chamber
involvement wouldn’t preclude him from taking part in a Revelstoke debate.
Townsman,
Aug. 6th Trevor Crawley
David Wilks has proposed a new debate
format after rejecting a format that was proposed by other political party
candidates. Wilk’s proposal would have ‘non partisan’ Chambers collect concerns
and questions directly from citizens before debates.
Daily
Townsman, Aug. 6th Trevor Crawley
Mr Wilks also went on to say all questions must be
vetted first.
Townsman
Aug. 12 Trevor Crawley
“First and foremost this is a Chamber
of Commerce All Candidates Forum and somewhat of a debate so we are focusing on
things that are important to the business community”, said David Hull
Since the
Cranbrook Chamber of Commerce would not accommodate the leader of the
provincial NDP party to an audience in Cranbrook in 2012, the Cranbrook Chamber
has taken steps to try to clarify that they are a non-partisan organization.
Business to
Business, Sept. 11 2014
“It is important to remind everyone that the
Chamber of Commerce is an apolitical organization.” David Butler, Business to
Business Sept 11, 2014.
However, some questions need to be considered in light of
all these statements.
Chambers of Commerce, the only organizations considered non-partisan.
Really? College of the Rockies, Rotary,
Kinsmen; Lions; Cranbrook Community Theatre – should all these organizations be
considered partisan?
According to Mr. Hull, the debate is really a forum and
maybe somewhat of a debate. Either it is a debate or it is not a debate. There are several formats for formal debates
and if it is a forum, will it not be more of a soap box for party platform with
not much room for reasoned discussion, and rebuttal?
By limiting questions to focus only on those that are
important to the business community, will not the ‘forum’ most certainly be
partisan to business and therefore exclusive? There is much more at stake for our future in
this election.
It would appear from information to date that Cranbrook will be provided
with a single, most definitely partisan forum, totally at the behest of the Conservative Party but
you can debate that.
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