Local B.C. Liberals had a chance to assess the six candidates for the party leadership during an all-candidates debate Thursday.
Approximately 200-250 people attended the event. Candidates made opening and closing remarks, and answered five pre-selected questions – no questions were taken from the floor and candidates did not have a chance to engage each other in debate.
Christy Clark pitched herself as the candidate with the best chance of leading the party to election victory in 2013.
“We all have lots of great ideas, but we have to put them into action. We can only do that if we win the next election,” Clark said. “If we can rebuild public trust, we can beat the NDP.”
Clark was an MLA from 1996 to 2005. Having been outside of government for the last six years has given her a different perspective on issues like the HST.
“I’ve been sitting outside of government and you have to shake your head at some of the decisions,” Clark said.
George Abbott said his focus is on rebuilding public trust and engaging voters in government.
“We will need all the two-and-a-half years we have left in this mandate to rebuild trust,” he said.
B.C. is very strongly positioned to take advantage of growth in Asia, he said.
“I think the next decade will be an exciting decade for B.C., but for northern B.C. especially,” Abbott said.
Kevin Falcon billed himself as a leader who can get things done.
“Politicians are good at talking, but not so good at executing,” Falcon said.
“We’ve got big opportunities, we need to make them happen.”
Falcon said he’d bring a premier’s office to the north to ensure northerners have direct communication with the leadership in Victoria.
Prince George MLAs Pat Bell and Shirley Bond have thrown their support behind Falcon.
Mike de Jong said his focus is on free enterprise and small, transparent government.
“The engine that drives this province is private enterprise,” de Jong said.
de Jong said he’s for turning B.C. back into a net exporter of power, transparent open government and fiscal balance.
“You can’t spend more than you’re making,” he said. “Folks, we’re spending $1.8 billion more than we’re making.”
Dr. Moira Stilwell said her focus is on education and investing in people.
“We must focus on building a knowledge economy. People will be our most renewable assets,” Stilwell said.
Stilwell said when she talks to young people, what they are worried about is finding work and how to afford post-secondary education.
Newcomer Ed Mayne said he entered the Liberal leadership race to bring a fresh perspective to the party. Mayne has no political background, but said his leadership role in business has prepared him for the premier’s seat.
“I am the only one here who is not affiliated with the government,” Mayne said.
Mayne said he doesn’t have the name recognition the other candidates do, but would work hard to engage the grass roots of the party and the public at large.