Local Federal Election candidates in Lambton-Kent-Middlesex have been invited to an open forum on Canadian health care. The forum will take place at the Walpole Island Sports Complex on Thursday October 1, 7 – 9 p.m., but won’t include each candidate that is running.
Candidates, along with health care experts, will discuss the federal government’s role and responsibilities for health care, as well as pressing needs for health care, including a national Pharmacare program, the renewal of the now-expired Health Accord (ten-year funding agreement between the federal government and the provinces) and a national seniors strategy that would address the need for quality home care and long-term care at the national level, stated officials with the Sarnia-Lambton Health Coalition in a press release.
The Lambton Kent Middlesex candidates will also have the opportunity to express where they and their parties stand on some of the most pressing questions, Sarnia-Lambton Health Coalition officials stated.
Candidates confirmed to attend include: Rex Isaac of the NDP and Jim Johnston of the Green Party.
“The Liberal and Conservative candidates were invited to speak,” the Sarnia-Lambton Health Coalition stated in a press release. “The date of the event was changed many times to accommodate their schedules, until it became apparent they would not be making themselves available.”
Incumbent MP Bev Shipley is running for the Conservatives and Ken Filson is running for the Liberals.
Pat Davis, a spokesperson for Shipley’s campaign, confirmed that the Conservative candidate will not be attending.
“He was already committed to another event on that date,” Davis told the Sydenham Current.
Marie Baker, a spokesperson for Filson’s campaign, confirmed that the Liberal candidate will not be in attendance.
“Unfortunately, Ken will not be in attendance,” Baker said in an e-mail. “I have already indicated this to the organizers. When they were attempting to arrange a date that was agreeable to all parties, I had indicated that Ken had a previously scheduled event on the other end of the riding on October 1st. That situation has not changed and they made the decision to proceed with the October 1st debate without Ken.”
The event is sponsored by the Chatham Kent Health Coalition, Ontario Nurses Association and Registered Nurses Association of Ontario, Chatham-Kent Chapter.
Election day is Oct. 19.
