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Seniors, water protection meeting topics

First groups announce all-candidates meetings in advance of the May 9 provincial election
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Seniors issues and concerns about protecting B.C.'s fresh water resources will be among the topics tackled at upcoming all candidates meetings in the lead up to the May 9 provincial election.

Community action groups are getting out in front of the May provincial election by announcing all-candidates meetings on topics of concern in the Tri-Cities.

SENIORS' ISSUES

The first will be held next Tuesday, April 4, when the Tri-Cities Seniors Planning Network (TCSPN) hosts a meeting in the Centennial secondary school theatre in Coquitlam from 1 to 4 p.m. on issues of concern to seniors.

Among the topics to be discussed will be health care, care for people with dementia, surgical weight times, housing, transportation and supports for seniors living independently. MLA candidates from all four Tri-City ridings have been invited.

"The main thing is we want to find out, before they develop party policy, we want to know what they as a candidate really feel on health care or caregiving or whatever it is," said Ken Kuhn, a retired School District 43 teacher who will be the moderator.

TCSPN is a group of more than 75 organizations and individuals from the Tri-Cities who are dedicated to helping build an age-friendly community.

• If you plan to attend, RSVP at kenkuhn@shaw.ca.

WATER CONCERNS

The second all-candidates meeting, hosted by groups concerned about water protection, will be held on Wednesday, April 12, from 7 to 9 p.m. at Douglas College's David Lam Campus in Coquitlam, Lecture Theatre A1470.

Coree Tull, spokesperson for the Canadian Freshwater Alliance, said candidates will be asked to speak on tightening up regulations in the Water Sustainability Act for managing water in B.C.

Among the questions that will be asked of local politicians: Is the province doing enough to protect water for quickly-growing communities? What role does climate change play in how decisions are made at the local and provincial levels? Are the Tri-Cities resilient enough to withstand drought or flooding? And what about those we share the land and water with — the salmon, bears, deer, birds and species at risk? What does strong provincial leadership look like as the climate continues to change?

Other groups hosting the event include Watershed Watch Salmon Society, the Coquitlam River Watershed Roundtable and the Rivershed Society of BC.

Meanwhile, the province is expected to drop the writ April 11 to start the campaign leading up to the provincial election on May 9.