Debates

2014 Vancouver election debates, town hall meetings, candidates meetings, and related events
(This update: November 12 at 3 pm). We highlight NEW/CHANGES/UPDATES.

This is a work in progress. Items added in the past few days are marked “NEW.” If you are scheduling or changing events, please try to contact other group(s) on your target date to minimize overlap and conflicting events. We encourage organizers to take video, and provide live or later on Livestream or YouTube, to help you multiply your audience and impact. It also serves as useful material to hold candidates accountable later.

Please send new info and corrections to us at citizenYVR@gmail.com. (We do our best to check facts, but cannot guarantee being 100% up to date/correct. We also urge you to check with organizers as required.) See also My Vote Matters.

MAYORAL DEBATES (mayoral candidates only) AND EVENTS

COMPLETED: Tuesday, October 7 – Urban Development Institute (UDI) Vancouver breakfast – Meet the Candidates. Open invitation to Vancouver’s mayoral candidates to address the UDI in a seminar. UDI President Anne McMullin will moderate the discussion. THREE candidates: Kirk LaPointe (NPA), Meena Wong (COPE) and now Adriane Carr (as leader of Green slate). Gregor Robertson (Vision Vancouver) has rejected the invitation. http://udi.memberzone.com/events/details/udi-vancouver-breakfast-meet-the-candidates-94

COMPLETED: Vancouver Board of Trade discussion with Mayoral Candidate: Kirk LaPointe, Non-Partisan Association (NPA).
Moderator: Gary Mason, National Affairs Columnist, The Globe and Mail. Wednesday, Oct 15.  7:15 – 9:30 am. Register: http://www.boardoftrade.com/events/overview/985148937.aspx

COMPLETED: Vancouver Board of Trade discussion with Mayoral Candidate: Mayor Gregor Robertson, Vision Vancouver. Moderator: Gary Mason, National Affairs Columnist, The Globe and Mail. Tuesday, Oct 21.  7:15 – 9:30 am. Register: http://www.boardoftrade.com/events/overview/4143360401.aspx

COMPLETED: Langara College, with GlobalBC– Wednesday October 22, 3:30 – 5:30 pm, Mayoral debate. Participants: Bob Kasting (Independent), Kirk LaPointe (NPA), Gregor Robertson (Vision Vancouver), Colin Shandler (Independent), Meena Wong (COPE). Moderated by Globe and Mail reporter Gary Mason. Will be live-streamed on web. SOLD OUT. http://langara.bc.ca/news-and-events/events-calendar/141022-mayoral-debate.html
Vancouver Sun article reporting on debate:  http://www.vancouversun.com/news/knockouts+Vancouver+mayoral+candidates+face+first+debate/10315972/story.html

COMPLETED: Christ Church Cathedral, Mayoral Debate, Sunday, October 26, 1:30 – 3:30 pm. Christ Church Cathedral (Burrard and Georgia).  Who: Bob Kasting (independent), Kirk LaPointe (NPA), Gregor Robertson (Vision Vancouver), Meena Wong (COPE).
Moderator: Andrew Chang (CBC). Details: http://thecathedral.ca/event/mayoral-debate/

COMPLETED: S.U.C.C.E.S.S. Vancouver — Thursday, October 30, 3 – 5 pm. Mayoral Candidates’ Forum. Choi Hall, Main Floor  S.U.C.C.E.S.S. Social Services Centre (28 W. Pender St, Vancouver BC V6B 1R6). Purpose is to provide opportunity for public to learn Candidates’ views and positions on issues related to housing, transportation and employment that impact the diverse communities in Vancouver. Conducted in English with simultaneous interpretation (Cantonese and Mandarin). (PDF: SUCCESS 2014 Candidate Forum Flyer 30-Oct-2014) http://www.successbc.ca

COMPLETED: Shaw TV Channel 4 – Decision 2014 – Mayoral Debates Televised – Shaw TV is holding televised mayoral debates for 14 municipalities in the Metro Vancouver region. Each debate is broadcast twice. Vancouver gets two debates.
http://www.shaw.ca/Decision2014/MayoralDebates/
Vancouver: October 27 at 10:00pm, repeat broadcast November 6 at 9:00pm
Vancouver #2: October 31 at 10:00pm, repeated broadcast November 10 at 9:00pm

COMPLETED: Mingpao, OMNI, and AM1320 — Saturday, November 1, 2014. 2 – 4 pm. Mayoral  Debate. First come first serve seating. Debate will be in Cantonese & English. Venue: Chinatown Plaza, 180 Keefer Street. This event will not be webcast. But it will be broadcast in full the following week on AM1320 radio, plus there will be coverage on @OMNInewsBC and Ming Pao Chinese newspaper on Monday November 2.

COMPLETED: Simon Fraser University and the Vancouver Sun, Tuesday, November 4, 2014. 7:00 – 8:30 pm. Mayoral Debate. SFU Harbour Centre. Arrive early — seats limited! Candidates: Bob Kasting (Independent), Kirk LaPointe (Non-Partisan Association), Mayor Gregor Robertson (Vision Vancouver) and Meena Wong (COPE). Panellists Maureen Maloney (professor, SFU School of Public Policy), Jeff Lee (Vancouver Sun City Hall reporter). Moderator: Vancouver Sun Editor-in-Chief Harold Munro. http://www.sfu.ca/publicsquare/upcoming-events/mayoral-debate.html. Free. Read Jak King’s post-debate review: http://jaksview3.wordpress.com/2014/11/05/choosing-the-mayor/.

COMPLETED: CKNW AM RADIO 980. @simisara980 hosts the Vancouver mayoral debate on Tuesday, November 5,  from 1 pm to 2 pm. #cknwdebate #vanelxn2014

UPDATED: CBC Radio. Mayoral debate, MORNING, Wednesday, November 12. Sorry, we thought this was in the evening. Coverage about Mayor Gregor apologies to voters here. This article summarizes the whole debate:
http://www.cbc.ca/1.2831992

COMPLETED: Metro News live interviews with civic party leaders: http://metronews.ca/news/vancouver/1172804/have-a-question-for-vancouvers-mayoral-candidates-ask-here/ (each is 10 minutes long):

• Adriane Carr, Green Party: Monday, Oct. 6 at 12:00 p.m. Click to view.
• Bob Kasting, Independent: Tuesday, Oct. 7 at 10:00 a.m. Click to view.
• Meena Wong, COPE: Tuesday, Oct. 7, 12:00 p.m. Click to view.
• Kirk LaPointe, NPA: Wednesday, Oct. 8 at 12:00 p.m. Click to view.
• Mayor Gregor Robertson, Vision Vancouver: Thursday, Oct. 9 at 12:00 p.m. Click to view.

OTHER EVENTS (Mayor and Council, Park Board, School Board)

COMPLETED: Alliance for Arts and Culture and SFU Woodward’s Cultural Unit — Friday September 26, 9:30 am. SFU Woodward’s, “Reverse Debate” (Each municipal party running candidates for Council invited to submit a question and send one representative). 149 West Hastings Street.

COMPLETED: City Conversations, presented by SFU Public Square. Thursday, October 2, 12:30-1:30 pm, Young Politicians: Meet Vancouver’s New Generation of Leaders. Room 2270 at SFU Harbour Centre. Guests Coree Tull (Vision Vancouver, candidate for Park Board), RJ Aquino (OneCity candidate, for City Council), and another youthful candidate. Free. Sponsored by Bing Thom Architects, The City Program, and SFU Vancouver.

COMPLETED: Killarney CC Society  – Wednesday, October 8, 7 to 9:30 pm, for City Councillors, 6260 Killarney Street.  Each civic party has confirmed that it will send a Council candidate. Poster: Killarney CC all candidates debate 8-Oct-2014 poster

COMPLETED: Metro Vancouver Alliance – Thursday, October 9, 7-  9pm, Municipal Election Accountability Assembly. Italian Cultural Centre, 3075 Slocan Street. Delegations from 49 member organizations, representing 200,000 citizens, will ask politicians to commit to MVA’s proposals on housing, transit, poverty, social isolation. About 1,000 people expected. Prep workshop details here. Organizers will take video of the event. Check website (www.metvanalliance.org) later for links to the eventual YouTube video.

COMPLETED: Coalition of Vancouver Neighbourhoods  — Wednesday October 15, 7 – 9 pm, All Party Meeting, St. James Hall, 3214 West 10th Avenue. Link: http://coalitionvan.org/media-releases/election-all-party/ Moderator: Charlie Smith, Editor, Georgia Straight. Description: ‘Putting the “Community” back into Community Planning’ A Town Hall meeting with Candidates for Vancouver City Council and Mayor. Hear your Candidates, Ask your Questions. Planning, zoning and citizen engagement

COMPLETED: Vancouver Food Policy Council’s Municipal Town Hall. Trish Kelly  moderates. Candidates from all levels of municipal politics — Wednesday, October 15, 6 – 8 pm. Roundhouse Community Arts & Recreation Centre. Link: http://www.eventbrite.com/e/vancouver-food-policy-councils-municipal-town-hall-tickets-13192165121?aff=estw

COMPLETED: Marpole Residents Coalition  – Sunday, October 19, 2 – 4 pm, Vancouver Council & Park Board candidates’ forum. Marpole/Oakridge Community Centre (gym) 990 W 59th Ave @ Oak Street. Moderator-led town-hall style debate on issues that affect Marpole residents. Six Council and six Park Board candidates (from Cedar Party, COPE, Green Party, NPA, Vancouver First, and Vision Vancouver) have committed to attend and answer pre-set questions and questions from the floor.

COMPLETED: Residents Association Mount Pleasant (RAMP) – Monday, October 20, 6:45 – 9pm, for City Council candidates. Debate on planning & neighbourhood issues, Heritage Hall (Main Street and East 15th Ave). The debate will be moderated by Miranda Nelson of the Straight. Participants: Heather Deal & Raymond Louie (Vision Vancouver), George Affleck & Ken Low (NPA), Adriane Carr & Pete Fry (Green Party), Tim Louis & Keith Higgins (COPE) and Nicholas Chernen (Cedar Party). Questions for the first half of the debate will be crowd-sourced (via email); there will be an open microphone to take questions from the audience in the second half.

COMPLETED: Langara College, with GlobalBC-  Wednesday October 22, 3:30 – 5:30 pm, Mayoral debate.  Participants: Bob Kasting (Independent), Kirk LaPointe (NPA), Gregor Robertson (Vision Vancouver), Colin Shandler (Independent), Meena Wong (COPE). Moderated by Globe and Mail reporter Gary Mason. Will be live-streamed on web. SOLD OUT.

COMPLETED: West Point Grey Residents Association – Wednesday, October 22, 7 pm start. West Point Grey United Church, West 8th & Tolmie — to be confirmed. http://wpgra.wordpress.com/ Topics will include Jericho Lands, UBC, transit and development. Moderator: Bob Mackin, a journalist who has reported for local, national and international media outlets since he began in 1990.

COMPLETED: Carnegie Community Centre Association – Thurs. October 23 – 2 – 4 pm. Downtown Eastside All-Candidates Meeting. Location: Carnegie Theatre (401 Main St.) – https://www.facebook.com/events/1402275890019044. Submit a question to envelope on bulletin board on second floor. Confirmed candidates (parties that have had candidates in office during last 3 elections). COPE Audrey Siegl sχɬemtəna:t and Sid Chow Tan 周明輝, Green Party of Vancouver: Adriane Carr and Pete DG Fry, Vision Vancouver: Andrea Reimer and Niki Sharma, Vancouver Non Partisan Association (NPA): Suzanne Scott. Other parties and independents: Nicholas Chernen, Cedar Party. Anthony Guitar, Independent. Ferdinand Ramos, Hotel Workers United, Local 40.

COMPLETED: Killarney Community Centre Society– Thursday, October 23, 7:00 – 9:30 pm, for Park Board Commissioners, Killarney Community Centre, 6260 Killarney Street.

COMPLETED: UBC School of Community & Regional Planning (SCARP), Thursday, October 23, 7 – 9 pm, “Affordable Vancouver” Debate for Council candidates, UBC Robson Square Theatre, 800 Robson Street. On what the City of Vancouver can do, within its limits as a municipality, in addressing affordable housing. Candidates say a few words, followed by questions from panel of housing experts and the public. www.scarp.ubc.ca. In partnership with The Vancouver Sun, and Housing Justice Canada. NEW: Registration requested (EventBrite): http://bit.ly/YYJinN. One candidate added, and reduced to one moderator (Penny Gurstein). Download revised poster (Affordable Vancouver, UBC Robson Sqr debate, 23-Oct-2014, POSTER-rev). Download backgrounder (Affordable Vancouver, UBC Robson Sqr debate, 23-Oct-2014, Backgrounder). The Twitter hashtag will be #AffordableVan. Live video link: www.vancouversun.com/debate

Or: http://www.vancouversun.com/Live+Municipal+election+debate+Affordable+Housing/10319057/story.html

COMPLETED: Strathcona Business Improvement Association (BIA) jointly with Groundswell/Hastings Crossing BIA. Thursday, October 23, 7 – 9 pm. All Candidates’ Meeting. Groundswell 566 Powell Street.
Discussion on the social economy. What is in store for the economic future of the city’s transitioning neighborhoods? How can the city support economic development that improves the quality of businesses, neighbourhoods, and livelihoods? Participants: Pete Fry – Green Party • George Affleck – NPA • Andrea Reimer – Vision Vancouver. Debate followed by Q&A from audience, and time for networking.  Cost is $5. Space is very limited. Please register at http://candidates2014socialeconomy.eventbrite.ca
http://strathconabia.com/events/all-candidates-meeting/

COMPLETED: Vancouver DPAC (District Parent Advisory Council). Thursday, October 23, 7 pm. “The official School Trustee Candidates Forum” targeting Vancouver parents. John Oliver Secondary 530 East 41st Avenue. http://www.vsb.bc.ca/dpac and http://www.vancouverdpac.org/

COMPLETED: Cedar Cottage Neighbourhood House All-Candidates Meeting. Saturday, October 25, 9am – noon (panel 10 – 11am). Pancake Breakfast (9 – 10am), Panel Questions & Answers (10 – 11am), Mix and chat with candidates (11am – noon). 4065 Victoria Drive. RSVP to 604 874-4231.

COMPLETED: Dunbar Residents Association – Monday, October 27, 7-9 pm. All candidates. St. Phillips Church, 3737 West 27th Avenue. 

COMPLETED: Kerrisdale Community Centre Association – Monday, October 27, 7 – 9 pm. For City Councillors, Kerrisdale Community Centre, 5851 West Boulevard.

COMPLETED: Great Schools BC and Public Education Network Society —  Monday, Oct. 27 (7 – 9 pm) Debate for School Board Candidates. Location: Grandview Room in Trout Lake Community Centre. Moderator: Paul Shaker (former SFU Dean of Education). Initial presentations by Noel Herron, Sandy Garossino, Dan Laitsch. School board candidates from all parties invited. Opening discussion, then candidates respond. (http://greatschoolsbc.wordpress.com/about/) (http://publiced.ca/). Poster: Public Education Forum 27-Oct-2014 Trout Lake cc

COMPLETED: University Women’s Club Tuesday — Tuesday, October 28, 7 –  9 pm. Election Forum at Hycroft — Forum for Mayoral and Women Candidates for Council. Hycroft Manor,1489 MacRae Ave. http://www.uwcvancouver.ca/.
http://www.uwcvancouver.ca/index.php/programs-events-events-entertainment?task=view_event&event_id=345

COMPLETED: Strathcona Community Centre Association — Tuesday, October 28, 7 pm. Dialogue/debate for Park Board candidates. All parties invited. Focus is issues facing community including equity, facilities and planning for density and neighbourhood change.

COMPLETED: Kensington Community Centre Association – Tuesday, October 28, 7 – 9 pm. Debate for Park Board Commissioners. Location:  5175 Dumfries (Community Hall).

Completed: False Creek Residents Association (FCRA) — Wednesday, October 29, 7 – 9 pm. Candidates for mayor and council debate, at Creekside Community Centre. www.falsecreekresidents.org
Facebook page for event: https://www.facebook.com/events/671696176270997/.
Candidates expected as of noon on 0n 10/29 (Councillor): Glen Chernen, Charlene Gunn, Pete Fry, Adriane Carr, Melissa De Genova, Elizabeth Ball, COPE (two persons), Vancouver First (two persons), RJ Aquino, Geoff Meggs,
Candidates expected (Mayoral): Bob Kasting, Colin Shandler, Meena Wong, Kirk LaPointe

COMPLETED: Grandview-Woodland Area Council, Britannia Community Centre, in partnership with Mosaic, Reach Community Clinic, Kiwassa Neighbourhood House — Thursday, October 30, 7 – 9 pm. All Candidates Forum. Britannia Secondary School Auditorium, 1001 Cotton Drive. GWAC candidate debate 30-Oct-2014 poster

COMPLETED: Vancouver Public Space Network, Sunday, November 2, 12 – 5 pm. Last Candidate Standing event. 149 West Hastings Street. (http://vancouverpublicspace.ca/)  Attention candidates! Nominees for Mayor and Council are asked to confirm their participation in Last Candidate Standing by contacting jessica [at] vancouverpublicspace [dot] ca. Produced by VPSN with support of SFU’s Vancity Office of Community Engagement and the Urbanarium Society. Event is FREE but space limited – Pre-register: Eventbrite page. More info Facebook event page or http://vancouverpublicspace.ca/events/last-candidate-standing/.

COMPLETED: Kerrisdale Community Centre Association – Sunday November 2, 2 – 4 pm. For Park Board Commissioners, Kerrisdale Community Centre, 5851 West Boulevard.

COMPLETED: Vancouver Council of Women — Monday, November 3, 12 noon. Unitarian Church Hall (49th and Oak).

COMPLETED: Kits Point Resident’s Association and Keep Kits Beach Wild. Monday, November 3, 7:30 – 9:30 pm. Kitsilano All Candidates Park Board Meeting. Meet Park Board candidates and find out how they plan on preserving Kits parks and beaches. Venue: Billy Bishop Legion, 1407 Laburnum. Cash bar! https://www.facebook.com/events/1500876973532102/

ADVANCE VOTING STARTS November 4 and goes to November 12 (excluding November 11) from 8:00am to 8:00pm. Info here.

COMPLETED: Kensington Community Centre Association – Tuesday, November 4, 7 – 9 pm. Debate for City Councillors. Location:  5175 Dumfries (Community Hall).

COMPLETED: Hastings Community Centre Association – Wednesday, November 5, 7 pm start. For both Park Board and City Councillors, Hastings Community Centre, 3096 E Hastings Street. http://friendsofhastingspark.wordpress.com/2014/10/29/vancouver-all-candidates-meeting-nov-5th-at-hastings-community-centre/

COMPLETED: Safe Amplification Site Society — Wednesday, November 5, 7 – 10 pm, All Candidates Meeting, at Astorino’s (1739 Venables St).
This non-profit society is dedicated to music for people of all ages, and is working towards establishment of a permanent, legal, sustainable, affordable and accessible all-ages venue. This meeting will discuss party views on connections between local culture, creativity, affordability and youth issues. Large venue. (www.safeamp.org). New info:  Video clips of each candidate will go online after the event. As of Oct 30, not sure of having live webcasting. Twitter – tweeting from @safeamp account with #vanpoli. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/737116693039387/

COMPLETED: Renfrew Community Centre Association – Thursday Nov 6, 7 – 9:30 pm, for Park Board candidates, Renfrew Community Centre, 2929 East22nd Avenue. [Note date correction. We had wrong date.] Co-sponsored by Collingwood Neighbourhood House, and Windermere Student Council. https://www.facebook.com/events/340794266097200/

COMPLETED: Shaughnessy Heights Property Owners Association (SHPOA) — Thursday, November 6, 7 pm.  All Candidates Meeting. Hellenic Community Centre, 4500 Arbutus Street. www.shpoa.ca. (Formerly was set for Oct 29).

CANCELLED: Due to scheduling conflicts and difficulties, the debate planned by the False Creek South Neighbourhood Association for Thursday, November 6 has been cancelled (http://falsecreeksouth.org/). This group is different from False Creek Residents Association (see Oct 29)

COMPLETED: West End! Saturday, November 8, 2 – 4 pm. West End Candidates’ Debate (Council/Park/School Board). Two  candidates per party (particularly candidates who are West End residents). Venue: Gordon Neighbourhood House. Some topics: West End Community Plan, Proposed Demolition & Redevelopment of the Aquatic Centre, Community Centre Joint Operating Agreements, Lack of affordability.

NEW: West End All Candidates Meeting, Wednesday, November 12th, 7pm to 9pm. All West End Candidates Meeting. Venue: St. Paul’s Anglican Church (1130 Jervis and Pendrell) Neutral non-partisan meeting not affiliated with any group. Meeting Format: 7:00 PM, one hour of key questions for candidates. 8:00 PM, one hour open microphone questions from residents. Some topics – Security of rental housing tenure, Community plan implementation, Transportation challenges, Capital spending for West End amenity upgrades.

NEW: UBC (presented by the Pre-Education Club) Vancouver (School District 39) School Board Trustee Forum / Meet and Greet. Wed, November 12th, 4  – 5:30 pm. Where: University of British Columbia, Student Union Building, AMS Art Gallery, 6138 Student Union Blvd, UBC. Description: Final format will depend on the number of candidate attendees: a forum with personal introduction and priorities, general questions from the moderator and questions from the attending audience followed by meet and greet.

CBC radio and television – No official announcement, but word is trickling out that this will be recorded in studio on Wednesday, November 12.

NOTE THAT ELECTION DAY IS NOVEMBER 15. Info here.

ADDITIONAL NOTES

On November 7, 2011, St. Andrew’s Wesley United Church held a mayoral debate on Homelessness and Affordable Housing (Robertson vs Anton), attended by about 700 people. CityHallWatch has confirmed that they do not plan to do so in 2014.