Two of four candidates participate in Cypress-Medicine Hat election forum

That led to a lot of agreement between the two participating candidates and left many in the audience feeling disappointed they couldn’t hear a rebuttal from the NDP.

Earlier in the week Hogg opted out of participating in the forum held by the Medicine Hat & District Chamber of Commerce, but later asked the chamber if she could participate.

A vote was held and because it did not reach a unanimous decision among chamber officials, Hogg was denied.

Wildrose Loyalty Coalition candidate Matt Orr also did not participate.

The two-hour forum featured UCP candidate Justin Wright and Independence party candidate Cody Ray Both.

Both candidates answered several questions that were prepared by the chamber and submitted by members of the audience and were given equal amounts of time to share their political views.

Wright stayed focused on the party’s political agenda while Both focused on Alberta’s relationship with the federal government.

The two candidates shared similar viewpoints on topics like job creation, health care, expanding trade to the U.S., lowering business taxes and growing our technology sector.

However their views differed on important election issues like climate change, education and post-secondary.

“Speaking about the size of the classrooms having a direct impact on the students. That’s only true if you think of it as the teacher is not connecting with the student individually but as a collective of students. I think in our curriculum we have time for one-on-one contact between students so classroom size should not matter,” said Both.

“I don’t know a teacher currently that has the time to do that. This is why we are making this investment, we recognize the shortcomings, we make a plan, we listen, we improve, period, rebutted Wright.

The forum drew over 50 people. CHAT News spoke with some of those in attendance who say they were impressed with UCP candidate Justin Wright’s political position, however they were disappointed they couldn’t hear from NDP candidate Cathy Hogg. Here’s what they said:

“I enjoyed the forum. I had my mind made up before I came, who I’m voting for. I was disappointed that all four candidates were not participating.”

“It’s really disappointing Cathy Hogg wasn’t here because she would have held Justin Wright to account and she would have called him out on some things he said that were inaccurate”

During closing statements Wright focused on job creation, growing the economy and leaving the province in a better place for the next generation.

Both said he was thankful for the opportunity to represent the Independence Party at the forum.

by Brendan Miller

Two of four candidates participate in Cypress-Medicine Hat election forum

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