provincial election

Four men sit on a stage at a table draped with a grey tablecloth.

Saint John Harbour candidates focus on the issues facing voters nearing the provincial election

October 9, 2024 by Iona Coe

With the New Brunswick provincial election fast approaching, most of the candidates for the Saint John Harbour riding gathered on Monday October 7th for a Candidates’ Forum, organized by the Human Development Council.

Present at Saint John’s Kent Theatre were Adam Smith for the Progressive Conservatives; Kenneth Procter for the New Democratic Party; David Hickey for the Liberals; and Mariah Darling for the Green Party. The only candidate missing was Libertarian Party candidate, Shelley Craig.

The topics covered ranged from healthcare to housing, also incorporating poverty and the cost of living. The wide-ranging discussion revealed both the areas of agreement and significant diversity between the platforms of each prospective candidate and party.

The audio was taken from the full video of the forum which can be found on the Human Development Council Facebook page.

The election takes place on Monday October 21. More information can be found at electionsnb.ca.

A man leaves a flyer inside a door jamb. He is wearing a purple jacket and a button which says "Holt". He is holding a leaflet in his right hand.

NB Liberal candidate John Higham faces some anti-Trudeau vitriol while canvassing

October 8, 2024 by Erica Butler

CHMA joined New Brunswick Liberal candidate for Tantramar John Higham and a party volunteer as they knocked on doors in a Sackville neighbourhood last week.

Higham says he’s heard “really positive ideas” from voters, including “things that could be done differently and better.” But he’s also had a number of strong negative reactions which he attributes to the phenomenon of anti-Liberal sentiment directed at Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

“I’ve been told that I have joined the biggest mafia in the world,” says Higham. One person went so far as to threaten the provincial candidate and former mayor. “I was told ‘get off my property, I’m going in the house and getting something, and it’ll show that you never will come on my property ever again,” recounts Higham. “So we’ve got that group of people that has really changed the tone.”

Green Party candidate for Prince George–Valemount takes spotlight at first of three UNBC all candidates debates

October 7, 2024 by Ian Gregg

Gwen Johansson, former Councillor and former Mayor of Hudson’s Hope became a crowd favourite by default at the all candidates debate held on UNBC campus Tuesday October 1st — she was the only candidate in attendance.

Candidates running for the Prince George–Valemount seat were invited by UNBC’s Sustainability Office and the Prince George Electric Vehicle Association to the all candidates forum announced in late July, but Johannson was the only candidate in attendance for the forum. The moderator of the event, Gil Quesnelle ask questions of the candidate and opened further questioning up to those in attendance.

Johansson revealed her experience working between local government, individual stakeholders, and resource corporations, positions on environment, energy transition, generation, and her commitment to the region she grew up in as a resident of McBride. Have a listen to this summary of the debate and follow up questions.

A woman wearing a blue blazer and white blouse as she addresses a press scrum. Her hair is in a bob-style. Two arms holding microphones reach towards her.

Local MLA encourages public participation as she finishes her term and enters private life

October 3, 2024 by Ian Gregg

Amidst a merger between the BC United Party and the Provincial BC Conservatives, Prince George – Valemount MLA Shirley Bond has announced her intention to retire ahead of the upcoming October 19th BC Provincial election.

Finishing the UHNBC hospital tower project remains a focal point for her as she transitions into private life. Looking at what is next for Bond after just over 20 years in office, a focus on family and being a grandma is front and centre.

She feels empowered enough as a resident of Prince George to continue to hold public officials to account, and encourages others to do the same. Additionally, she said she “would also encourage multi levels of government to work together, and encourage our elected officials in Victoria to actually support good ideas no matter where they come from.”

A women with short curly redish brownish hair is sitting on a chair outside wearing a bright red rain jacket. She is holding a cardboard sign that has the painted phrase "Act now for our Kids"

Seniors in Nanaimo rally for climate action

October 3, 2024 by Lauryn Mackenzie

Around 20 seniors took part in a rocking chair rally on October 1 (National Seniors Day) to bring attention to climate change.

The rally took place outside the provincial constituency office for Nanaimo as part of a cross-country day of action to pressure the government to take action on climate change.

CHLY spoke with some of the seniors taking part in the rally trying to make the earth a better place for their grandchildren and all children to come.

One of the organizers of the event, Mia Jongkind, with the Mid-Island Chapter of the Council of Canadians, told CHLY about how seniors make up a large mass of people and they need to vote thinking of their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren’s futures.

CHLY also heard from the three candidates in the Nanaimo-Gabriola Island riding about their thoughts on climate change.

A cardboard sign leans against a grey Canada Post mail box. On the sign reads "Save Earth. Children need a future" On the sign is around 20 faces of children that have been cut out of magazines collaged on the sign around the text

Two seniors are sitting on brown wooden rocking chairs. They are outside of an office building. The male on the left side is wearing a black jacket holding to knitting needles looking at his hands. The women on the right os leaning over with her own knitting needles in hand show the man what she is doing

Rocking Chair Rally on October 1st. Photos: Lauryn Mackenzie / CHLY 101.7fm

Terrace mayor says he will not run in fall provincial election

May 16, 2024 by Sabrina Spencer

Sean Bujtas, mayor of the city of Terrace, has decided to not run in the fall provincial election this year, and he will continue in his current municipal role.

Tuesday afternoon Bujtas sent out a statement as well as posted on Facebook regarding his decision. Bujtas said he was invited to run but would not confirm with CFNR which party gave the invitation in an effort to to stay “apolitical” as a mayor.

Bujtas spoke with CFNR about the difficulties coming to this decision and he said that “When I think about overdose, addiction, homelessness, crime, supporting the industry and our communities, all those things are, most of them are Victoria-based things.”

He leaves open the possibility of considering a future opportunity.