[fvc-wat-disc] All Candidates Meetings in Kitchener-Conestoga

[Bob Jonkman]

I've attended both of the All Candidates Meetings in my riding, 
Kitchener-Conestoga.

The first in St. Agatha was run by the Rogers local cable broadcast and 
local paper The Record.  After some introductory remarks from the 
candidates, questions were taken from the audience, and about 15 people 
lined up.  Sadly, answers were limited to short sound bites, so I don't 
think anyone got an answer with any substance.  Some of the questions 
were longer than the answers. After about 45 minutes the Q&A session was 
stopped, and the candidates made some closing remarks.  Only 8 people 
present got to ask questions, along with one question from an online 
viewer.  I was not one of them.  There were no questions on proportional 
representation or electoral reform, but I was pleased to hear several 
questions on the environment.

The second ACM in Elmira was run by radio station AM570 and the KW 
Chamber of Commerce.  This time the questions were all asked by the host 
from the radio station, and the candidates were again limited to 60 
second sound bites.  The questions mostly dealt with economic issues, 
national debt, infrastructure development, and one question on national 
health care.  There were no questions on proportional representation or 
electoral reform.  With a few minutes remaining at the end of the 
allotted 90 minutes the host asked for questions from the audience.  
Sadly, I was not close enough to get picked.  As it turned out, the 
question was from a Conservative supporter asking the Liberal candidate 
about the ethics of the recent attack ad against Stephen Harper, which 
turned into a vindictive sniping match from all parties.

Neither ACM seemed to be held for the purposes of informing candidates 
about voters' concerns, or informing voters about candidate's views on 
issues.  Instead, they were both "media events", tightly scripted and 
controlled for the purpose of filling some air time and column inches.  
I also attended another AM570 ACM for Kitchener-Centre - oddly, the 
questions were the same as in Elmira, and the answers were much the same 
as well.

I learned nothing from either ACM that I couldn't have learned by 
reading the party's platform statements or campaign literature.  Except 
maybe that the whole election process is dominated by media and business.

I've heard a rumour of a third ACM for Kitcherner-Conestoga, to be held 
in New Hamburg (a third location inaccessible to public transit).  In 
spite of my experiences at the first two ACMs, I'll be attending this 
one too.

Why are there so few All Candidate Meetings in my riding?  
Kitchener-Waterloo and Kitchener-Centre seem to have an ACM event every 
day of the week, and sometimes more than one.  Anita had the great idea 
of Fair Vote Waterloo hosting an ACM with the sole topic being electoral 
reform. I hope we can do that for the October 2011 elections!

Oh, and don't forget about the joint FairVoteWRC and CAPP event on 
Thursday, 28 April, 7:00pm in the Adult Community Centre at 185 King St. 
S., Waterloo.  John Deverell and Nick van der Graaf will be speaking!

--Bob.

(Waterloo Region votes can stay informed on campaign events from 
http://www.waterlooregionvotes.ca/2011-events/  No affiliation with FVC 
or the Waterloo Region Chapter)


On 2011-04-25 at 15:31:24  Bob Jonkman wrote:
> I'm going to the Kitchener Conestoga debate by The Record on Wednesday 
> in St. Agatha.
>
> --Bob.
>
> (I'd like to see this discussion on the FVC-Disc mailing list...)
>
>
>
> On 2011-04-11 at 18:58:40  Shannon Adshade wrote:
>> I will be at the Cambridge debate on Thursday April 21 at 7:00 pm at 
>> the Holiday Inn.
>>
>> Shannon
>>
>> ________________________________________
>> From: Maiser at sobac.com [Maiser at sobac.com] On Behalf Of 
>> lanickerson at b2b2c.ca [lanickerson at b2b2c.ca]
>> Sent: Monday, April 11, 2011 9:40 AM
>> To: Fair Vote Waterloo Region
>> Subject:
>>
>> Hi everyone. I would like to see us have at least one person at each 
>> of the
>> major local debates to ask a question about electoral reform or 
>> distribute
>> flyers (outside, where they can't boot us out).
>>
>> I will be attending Kitchener Centre debate on Thursday April 12. 
>> Other takers?
>>
>> Anita
>>
>> Anita
>> Want to have a real say in democracy? Want to see a more democratic,
>> compassionate Canada? Help me make every vote count! www.fairvote.ca
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