First all-candidates debate of the 2015 campaign set to discuss the county's social issues
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Oxford’s federal election candidates are set to appear in the first debate of the campaign in just a few days.
The Social Planning Council of Oxford is hosting the all-candidates debate, preparing to target the social and oft-ignored issues faced by local residents and communities.
“Particularly in our area, and the history of politics here, the reason we like to host a debate specifically about social issues is because they tend to get lost at some of the general debates,” said Ashley Farrar, executive director of the Social Planning Council Oxford (SPCO).
The SPCO is hosting the debate, but other social agencies in Oxford, including the United Way, Community Employment Services, South Gate Centre, and the Woodstock and Area Community Health Centre, are playing a supporting role.
“We want people to be informed, and we want to bring the social issues that many in our community face to the forefront, so at least they can make an informed decision when it comes to election day,” said Kelly Gilson, executive director of the United Way Oxford.
And almost all the local candidates will be at the meeting.
“It’ll be Christian Heritage, NDP, Liberal, Green. Dave MacKenzie’s office has let us know that he has a conflict in his schedule, so he’s not able to attend,” Farrar said.
“These are topic areas that are really important not just to agencies in the area, but lots of community members. We like to be able to give a forum where a lot of these questions that are really important to people can be asked.”
The night will open with a couple of pre-determined questions, focusing on topics like food security, employment and affordable housing, before the floor is opened for audience questions.
“Affordable housing, this is an interesting one, because it’s something that traditionally the federal government has left up to the provinces. But we strongly feel that all of these areas, that social issues are important for the federal government to get involved with,” Farrar said.
Though the SPCO believes a socially-focused debate is the way to go, Farrar said she hopes social issues may seep into other all-candidates meetings.
“I also hope that at other open and general debates, questions that talk about more of these social issues can be brought up, because there is a lot of overlap,” she said.
“If you look at economics and social issues, what good is it to create a community where businesses can thrive if no one wants to live here?”
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IF YOU GO
Sept. 17, 7-9 p.m.
South Gate Centre