Oyen Briefs: Damien Kurek only candidate to attend All Candidates Forum

By Diana Walker

The Royal Canadian Legion #208 and Big Country Agricultural Society hosted an All-Candidates Political Forum in the Legion Hall, Oyen, on April 10.

Kerry Molzan, Vice President of the Big Country Agricultural Society, welcomed more than 35 Oyenites and people from the surrounding communities before turning the microphone over to moderator David Eaton, past director of Big Country Agricultural Society and past chair of Applied Research Extension Council of Alberta.

Five candidates are seeking election in Battle River-Crowfoot (in alphabetical order): Jonathan Bridges – People’s Party of Canada; Douglas Gook – Green Party of Canada; Damien Kurek – Conservative Party of Canada; James MacKay – New Democratic Party; Brent Sutton – Liberal Party of Canada. Damien Kurek was the only candidate to attend; Jonathan Bridges sent his regrets. The others could not be reached as no contacts were supplied on the Elections Canada page, although attempts were made to contact them through other methods.

David Eaton read the rules and regulations and said a more informal format would be followed with only one candidate in attendance. Catherine Holland, as the timer, indicated when each speaker’s time was up. Damien fielded a broad range of questions from the lively crowd.

Tyler Chiliak and Bob Kacso set up their equipment enabling the event to be Live-Streamed on the Oyen Echo Facebook page. Thirty-five to 50 people logged in to view all or part of the forum. Over 4100 people have since logged in to view the forum on both the Oyen Echo Facebook page and website. If you were unable to attend the event you can view it at https://www.oyenecho.com/candidates

BCAS members Sharon Dahl, Betty Walker, Linda Bingeman, Cheryl Ball and Diana Walker provided lunch enjoyed while informal visiting continued.