All three Langley-area B.C. Conservative candidates have confirmed that they will not be taking part in all-candidates meetings or debates.
The Langley Advance Times has reached out to all the candidates currently announced as running, for the NDP, Conservatives, Greens, Libertarians, and independents.
On Friday, Sept. 20, Langley-Willowbrook candidate Jody Toor, Langley-Abbotsford candidate Harman Bhangu, and Langley-Walnut Grove candidate Misty Van Popta responded with a joint statement that spoke of the rising cost of living and issues of jobs and economic opportunities.
"We owe it to the people of Langley to speak with them about their concerns on the direction of our province and how we can make it better," the statement said. "In the lead up to October 19, our focus is on engaging with voters directly at the doors."
Van Popta confirmed that the statement means they will not be taking part in debates.
While some B.C. Conservative candidates are taking part in debates, including Bruce Banman in Abbotsford-South, some candidates in other parts of B.C. have indicated they will not.
In the Langley area, candidates such the NDP's Megan Dykeman in Langley-Walnut Grove and Andrew Mercier in Langley-Willowbrook, independent and former BC United candidate Karen Long in Langley-Abbotsford, and Langley-Abbotsford Libertarian Alex Joehl have indicated they will take part in at least some meetings and debates.
Joehl said he was planning to be at a Sept. 25 event hosted by the Bertrand Creek Enhancement Society and a Chamber of Commerce-hosted meeting scheduled for Oct. 2, and was looking into participating in a Langley Seniors in Action event if his schedule allowed.
Long similarly said she was taking part in the Seniors in Action and Chamber-hosted events.
Dykeman said she was looking at taking part in such events "as long as the schedule and so forth aligns."
She said she's always valued the opportunity to participate in events to discuss local matters.
"I plan to attend all of them that I've been notified about," said Mercier.
The Advance Times had not heard back from all the local candidates at press deadline.
The Greater Langley Chamber of Commerce runs all-candidates meetings for municipal, provincial, and federal candidates during each election campaign, and in recent years seniors organizations and local environmentalists have also organized events.
Debates organized so far include:
• The Bertrand Creek Enhancement Society and Aldergrove Community Association will host an all-candidates meeting for the Langley-Abbotsford riding at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 25.
• The meetings planned by the Greater Langley Chamber of Commerce, including a forum for the Langley-Willowbrook and Langley-Walnut Grove ridings will go at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 26 at the Kwantlen Polytechnic University Langley campus.
The forum for the Langley-Abbotsford riding, also at 6 p.m., will be Wednesday, Oct. 2, venue to be determined.
• Langley Seniors in Action is hosting all-candidates meetings from 2-4 p.m. on Oct. 4 for Langley-Willowbrook at Langley Seniors Resource Centre, Oct. 7 for Langley Walnut Grove at West Langley Hall, and Oct. 9 for Langley-Abbotsford at Langley Arts Council offices.
• The TWU Environmental Club and the Climate Crisis Langley Action Partners have an all-candidates forum on Wednesday, Oct. 2 at the DeVries Auditorium at TWU. It runs from 6:30 to 9 p.m. and is for the Langley-Walnut Grove riding candidates.
• The Langley Teachers Association is planning a debate for Oct. 7.
