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FO RD DR IV E W IN ST ON CH UR CH ILL BL VD . \S OU TH DO W N RD . 2011 JOURNEY 2011 RAM 1500 2011 GRAND CHEROKEE 1 1 W ednesday, Septem ber 28, 2011 O A K V ILLE B EA V ER s By David Lea OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF Oakville residents had few provincial candidates to question at Thursdays Policy not Polls all-candidates meeting as only five candidates of 14 showed up. Hosted at St. Simons Anglican Church by Reclaim Our Democracy Canada, Canadians Advocating Political Participation- Oakville, and Fair Vote Canada-Halton, the meeting did attract some 50 spectators. Oakville candidates there included incumbent MPP Kevin Flynn (Liberal), Mike Harris (independent) and Lesley Sprague (NDP). Halton candidates present included Nik Spohr (NDP) and Gina Van Den Burg (Freedom Party of Ontario). Oakville candidates absent included Larry Scott (PC), Andrew Chlobowski (Green Party), Jonathan Banzuela (Family Coalition Party) and Steve Hunter (Freedom Party). Absent Halton candidates included Halton incumbent MPP Ted Chudleigh (PC), Indira Naidoo-Harris (Liberal), Karen Fraser (Green Party), Tony Rodrigues (Family Coalition Party), and Phil Buck (independent). Meeting organizers said all candidates were invited. A representative at Scotts campaign said there had been a scheduling conflict so Scott was unable to attend. Similarly, Chudleigh said, "I did not attend because it was tak- ing place outside of Halton riding. I had a number of other things on my schedule that evening and I believe my attendance at those events was more important than this particular event, which was located in a different riding. " Candidates who showed up were asked many questions about protecting Canadas democracy. p p pS ohr said the NDP has multi le leadershi debates and stands up for the rights of low-income families, youths and members of the gay, lesbian, transgender and bisexual communities. Spohr said the NDP has also attempted to give members of marginalized groups a voice by encouraging them to not only vote, but also run in elections as NDP candidates. He complained that Canadas democracy is too dependent on expensive campaigns. The flashiest, most expensive campaign should not be the deciding factor, said Spohr. Van den Burg said Ontarios democracy could be improved through the election, not appointment, of Ontarios senate nomi- nees and through the elimination of the ability of political parties to monitor Elections Ontario records to find out who votes. Harris spoke of the importance of getting young people out to vote stating a whole series of issues are ignored when they dont. He also called for the implementation of a Mixed Member Proportional voting system and for more consensus building. Flynn spoke about the need for young people to not only vote, but to run in elections. He also said he has attempted to engage young people through fthe creation of the Oakville Youth Advisory Committee, a group o high school students who get together with Flynn to discuss potential solutions to some of the major problems facing society. We keep drilling in this idea to them that experience is para- mount and experience doesnt mean anything like it used to. The world is changing so quickly and what we need is bright, quick, fast, flexible minds and thats not old experienced people. Sprague also called for a Mixed Member Proportional voting system stating it would get more people to vote and is the system most likely to help get under-represented groups like women to get involved in politics in larger numbers. Just think. People actually voting for and getting the govern- ment they want and need. Not an oppressive, non-responsive majority, said Sprague. Our current First Past The Post (FPTP) system is a boon to those parties from a wealthy base who can role out a giant war machine of TV ads and copious literature and biased polls designed to dazzle instead of inform. FPTP also alienates potential voters who believe their vote wont count, which too often, it doesnt. The candidates also answered questions regarding honesty in politics and how the electorate could trust the parties will keep their campaign promises once elected. Not all candidates showed up for debate DANIEL HO / SPECIAL TO THE BEAVER TOUGH QUESTIONS: Nik Spohr and Gina Van Den Berg look at the questions posted during the Democracy Forum at St. Simon's Anglican Church on Thursday. See Candidates page 17