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<span id="IDstID"><font face="FreeMono">I've attended both of the
All Candidates Meetings in my riding, Kitchener-Conestoga.<br>
<br>
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.<br>
<br>
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.<br>
<br>
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. <br>
<br>
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.<br>
<br>
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.<br>
<br>
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!<br>
<br>
Oh, and don't forget about the joint FairVoteWRC and CAPP event
on Thursday, 28 April, 7:00pm in the Adult Community Centre at </font></span><span
class="event-where">185 King St. S., Waterloo. John Deverell and
Nick van der Graaf will be speaking!</span><br>
<span id="IDstID"><font face="FreeMono"><br>
--Bob.<br>
<br>
(Waterloo Region votes can stay informed on campaign events from
<a class="moz-txt-link-freetext" href="http://www.waterlooregionvotes.ca/2011-events/">http://www.waterlooregionvotes.ca/2011-events/</a> No affiliation
with FVC or the Waterloo Region Chapter)<br>
<br>
<br>
</font>On 2011-04-25 at 15:31:24 Bob Jonkman wrote:</span>
<blockquote cite="mid:4DA38805.5040505@sobac.com" type="cite">I'm
going to the Kitchener Conestoga debate by The Record on Wednesday
in St. Agatha.
<br>
<br>
--Bob.
<br>
<br>
(I'd like to see this discussion on the FVC-Disc mailing list...)
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
On 2011-04-11 at 18:58:40 Shannon Adshade wrote:
<br>
<blockquote type="cite">I will be at the Cambridge debate on
Thursday April 21 at 7:00 pm at the Holiday Inn.
<br>
<br>
Shannon
<br>
<br>
________________________________________
<br>
From: <a class="moz-txt-link-abbreviated" href="mailto:Maiser@sobac.com">Maiser@sobac.com</a> [<a class="moz-txt-link-abbreviated" href="mailto:Maiser@sobac.com">Maiser@sobac.com</a>] On Behalf Of
<a class="moz-txt-link-abbreviated" href="mailto:lanickerson@b2b2c.ca">lanickerson@b2b2c.ca</a> [<a class="moz-txt-link-abbreviated" href="mailto:lanickerson@b2b2c.ca">lanickerson@b2b2c.ca</a>]
<br>
Sent: Monday, April 11, 2011 9:40 AM
<br>
To: Fair Vote Waterloo Region
<br>
Subject:
<br>
<br>
Hi everyone. I would like to see us have at least one person at
each of the
<br>
major local debates to ask a question about electoral reform or
distribute
<br>
flyers (outside, where they can't boot us out).
<br>
<br>
I will be attending Kitchener Centre debate on Thursday April
12. Other takers?
<br>
<br>
Anita
<br>
<br>
Anita
<br>
Want to have a real say in democracy? Want to see a more
democratic,
<br>
compassionate Canada? Help me make every vote count!
<a class="moz-txt-link-abbreviated" href="http://www.fairvote.ca">www.fairvote.ca</a>
<br>
</blockquote>
</blockquote>
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