MLA Bruce Banman is the lone Conservative Party of British Columbia representative who will be speaking at any of the Abbotsford-related all-candidates meetings in early-October.
Banman confirmed his participation in the Abbotsford South all-candidates meetings, which occurs at the Matsqui Centennial Auditorium on Wednesday, Oct. 9 from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Conservative Korky Neufeld, who is running in the Abbotsford West riding, told The News in an emailed statement that he has chosen to engage more directly with voters. He stated he will not be attending that all-candidates meeting also on Oct. 9.
"The people of British Columbia are struggling to keep up with the rising cost of living as they see jobs, investment and economic opportunity leave our province," he wrote. "I owe it to the residents of Abbotsford West to speak with them about their concerns on the direction of our province and how we can make it better. In the lead up to Oct. 19, my focus is on engaging with voters directly at the doors."
Over in the new Abbotsford-Langley riding, Conservative Harman Bhangu along with the other Langley ridings Conservatives also stated they will not be participating at any all-candidates meetings. The Abbotsford-Langley all-candidates meeting is set for Oct. 2. A joint statement was released by Langley-Walnut Grove hopeful Misty Van Popta, with Bhangu and Langley-Willowbrook's Jody Toor included.
The statement reads almost identical to the one that Neufeld released.
"More than ever, British Columbians are struggling to keep up with the rising cost of living as they see jobs, investment and economic opportunity leave our province," the statement reads. "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. In the lead up to Oct. 19, our focus is on engaging with voters directly at the doors."
Abbotsford-Mission Conservative candidate Reann Gasper has also confirmed to the Mission Chamber of Commerce that she will not be participating in that riding's all-candidates meeting set for Oct. 3.
The NDP's John Aldag (Abbotsford-Langley), Graeme Hutchison (Abbotsford West) and Sarah Kooner (Abbotsford South), independent James Davison (Abbotsford West) and independent Amandeep Singh (Abbotsford South) all confirmed to The News that they will be attending their respective all-candidate meetings.
Abbotsford Chamber of Commerce CEO Alex Mitchell stated that the Abbotsford West and Abbotsford South meetings are proceeding as planned despite Neufeld's decision to not participate.
The provincial election is set for Saturday, Oct. 19.
