mayes is not our local choice

Mayes drawn into debate
JENNIFER DYCK
Jan 13 2006
vernonmorningstar.com/

Policy wasn’t enough for some women at Tuesday’s forum who cornered Conservative candidate Colin Mayes into the hot button issue of abortion.

With nearly all of the 260 seats filled at the Schubert Centre Tuesday and all federal candidates but the Greens’ Harry Naegel on stage, Mayes was questioned not once but twice on the issue.

The first to ask Mayes’ opinion on abortion was a woman who said she was frightened of what would happen if Conservatives took a majority.

At first Mayes would not answer, only stating the party’s policy.

“I’ve got the policy here, I think my personal opinion is my personal opinion.”
But a second round at the issue from Debra Critchley, of the Vernon Women’s Centre, broke his tongue loose.

“I am pro-life, I don’t believe in abortion. I don’t believe the state should pay for abortion because it’s not a medical condition,” said the former Salmon Arm mayor, noting rape as one exception.

Liberal Will Hansma, who also took some heat on separate issues, stepped up to make his opinion heard.

“I personally am not in favour of abortion unless it’s for a very good reason. But I support the choice that’s out there for the women and doctors to make between each other.”

While the issue of supporting abortion carried a lot of weight at the forum, it wasn’t the only one.

Mayes was also questioned on the Conservative plan to scrap the Kyoto accord and the future of the CBC under Conservatives was pointed out by one candidate.

“We know that the Conservative’s agenda is to do away with CBC,” said NDP candidate Alice Brown.

“CBC right now is not what it needs to be. It needs to have some teeth and strength put back into it.”
Independent Darren Seymour agreed.

“I’m passionate about the CBC broadcast system and we should go further with it.”

Seymour even suggested the station host a weekly broadcast where Canadians can identify various problems, followed with solutions for the government to seriously recognize.

Canadian Action Party candidate Neville O’Grady also felt strongly about CBC’s importance, but as a mechanic he felt this and Canada’s other problems have sensible solutions.

“Mechanics don’t talk about problems, they fix problems.”

A concern, shared by himself and Seymour, is the nation’s monetary system, which O’Grady was disappointed that more residents at the forum did not question.

Money was also an issue for Gordon Campbell with the Non Organized (NO), but specifically his concern is a right to say no to all parties.

He says many people are forced to put strategy into their vote to keep one party out, when in fact, he says, people prefer none of the choices.

“We will never have accountability nor peace of mind and will always be forced to say yes to all the promises they can’t keep, until we have legislated protection – the right to say no to them all.”