Provencher candidates disappointed by lack of forum

Election candidates deprived of the public forum typically hosted by the Steinbach Chamber of Commerce expressed their disappointment in being unable to attend the event, with most saying they would have made time to attend.

Chamber president Tracy Gromniski told The Carillon in a prepared statement that there were several factors that went into the decision to not continue the tradition of hosting candidate forums to “support civic engagement and provide space for community dialogue during elections.”

“With the election called earlier than expected and the timeline condensed, we were navigating several major chamber initiatives already underway,” she said. “Given the timing and planning window we ultimately made the decision not to proceed with the forum for this cycle.”

Gromniski said they remain committed to supporting civic dialogue in all forms.

Liberal candidate Trevor Kirczenow said he reached out to the Chamber and Golden West Broadcasting about a potential forum early in his campaign.

Though he can’t recall a response from the chamber, Kirczenow said he was told a very different story about the reasons for the lack of forum from a media contact.

“The folks at Golden West communicated to me that Ted Falk was too busy to participate and that was why the chamber did not want to host it, that they didn’t want to do it without him,” he said.

Conservative incumbent Ted Falk did not confirm or deny if that happened, instead issuing a statement where he said he appreciated the efforts of the chamber in considering a forum.

“We fully appreciate the challenges associated with such a condensed writ period,” the statement said. “Our campaign remains committed to communicating and connecting with Provencher voters face to face.”

Gromniski too would not confirm or deny if communication took place between the chamber and Ted Falk.

“We did ask a few candidates, but I don’t know how many candidates we did approach,” she said.

Falk pointed out their campaign works hard to connect with voters, estimating that he and his team have knocked on more than 11,000 doors around the riding.

Kirczenow has also been campaigning hard and said he would have appreciated another forum opportunity.

Golden West Broadcasting did host their version of a forum which was attended by Liberal, Green and PPC candidates.

“I don’t know that it’s really the most efficient way of reaching all voters necessarily,” he said of the forum concept. “But I think for some voters it is really important, and I think candidates should respect that.”

“That is an opportunity for voters to see all the candidates side by side answering the same questions,” he added. “There’s no other opportunity for that.”

People’s Party of Canada candidate Noel Gautron said he would have attended, and said he’s enjoyed forums from a voter’s perspective in the past.

“It was nice to be able to observe all of the various candidates and parties by extension,” he said. “It provides kind of a consolidated overview if you will, so I think as a voter I appreciated it for sure.”

Green Party candidate Blair Mahaffy had also reached out to the chamber early in his campaign but received no response.

He said he would have attended a forum, adding that listening to people and answering questions is quite literally the winner’s job.

“I think it’s really important to be there,” he said. “It’s sort of surprising they didn’t hold a forum. For me that would have been a priority.”