Great Disappointment – Canceled Forum

There is a disturbing trend in Canadian politics today.  Many of the incumbents are not showing up to the candidates forums.  Case in point – the SCA Community Association tried to organize an all candidates forum for Calgary West on April 26th.  I rsvp-ed and I know that Janice Kinch from the Liberal Party rsvp-ed.  Apparently the others could or would not confirm their attendance, and as a result – the forum has been canceled.

Regardless of whether or not the incumbent or the NDP candidate believe they are such a shoe-in or such a lost cause – they owe it to the constituents to be in attendance.  To not be there shows a complete disregard for our democratic process.  It means that they do not care about your questions.  It means that they don’t think that you are worth their time.   It means that they are either incredibly arrogant or incredibly apathetic – neither of which are attitudes that are appropriate here.

When you are applying for a job, do you show up for the interview?  You bet.  This is no different.

There is another forum that the Just Vote community are trying to organize for the candidates of Calgary West at the SCA Community Association for this Sunday, April 17th.  I and Janice Kinch have rsvp-ed but I have not received a final confirmation of this event.  I think the good people of Calgary West deserve to meet and see their candidates in action, and to have the opportunity to ask them questions in person.

I am not afraid to be in the same room as my competition.  Perhaps that is the real issue?  I certainly have received a tremendous amount of support from the Conservatives in the riding so far.  Perhaps the incumbent believes that I am a real threat and that if he has to sit next to me in a forum, that his constituents will compare us to each other in a way that won’t be favourable to him.

Regardless of who you vote for normally, you must admit that it is a basic right of all of the constituents to be able to attend an all candidates forum and to have their questions heard.

I will update you on the event for this Sunday when I have more information.
~Anna