West Nova to Host People's Forum on Election Issues

HALIFAX, NOVA SCOTIA--(Marketwired - Oct. 5, 2015) - The Nova Scotia Health Coalition and the Canadian Federation of Students are hosting a People's Forum on the Federal Election. The Forum will bring together people from all ages and backgrounds to share perspectives on key issues and to pose questions directly to federal election candidates in West Nova. The forum takes place at 6pm on Wednesday, October 7^th at the Rodd Grand Yarmouth Hotel.

"What makes this format unique is that candidates are invited first and foremost to listen to voters. There will be no formal presentations or candidates simply reiterating platforms" said James Hutt, Provincial Coordinator of the Health Coalition.

"Instead, candidates will listen as citizens debate key issues and then respond to questions at the end."

The Forum will begin with participants of the forum going into discussion groups based on themes, which include health, economy, the environment, education and women's issues. Skilled non-partisan facilitators will lead the discussions and help the groups collectively decide on questions to ask candidates.

"Students with the broader community and to collectively decide what we want from our future MP"
said Melanie Bourque, Vice President Interregional of L'Association générale des étudiants de l'Université Sainte-Anne (AGEUSA).

"Young people are looking for solutions to skyrocketing student debt and high youth unemployment."

The organizers have invited all four federal candidates in the riding. Colin Fraser, Liberal Party, Greg Foster, NDP, and Clark Walton, Green Party have confirmed their attendance. Conservative Candidate Arnold Leblanc declined the invitation.

Hutt and Bourque said the impetus for the event was a shared sentiment that during the election the focus is often on party platforms, and seldom on the specific issues that are affecting their constituents.

"It's a chance to give the community a voice that candidates will listen to" added Bourque.

The event will take place from 6-830pm, with an additional 30 minutes as an opportunity to mingle with community members and the election candidates. This event is free and open to the public. The language of the event is English. One of the discussion groups will be in French if there is sufficient interest.

The People's Election Forum:

6:00-8:30pm Wednesday, October 7th

English and French

Rodd Grand Yarmouth Hotel, 417 Main Street,

Yarmouth, NS

Free.

About the Nova Scotia Health Coalition

Formed in 1996, the Nova Scotia Health Coalition's goal is to stop the privatization of the public health care system, ensure high levels of care, and create a forum for people and communities to discuss issues in health care.

We are a coalition of local health committees, community groups, organized labour, faith groups, women's organizations, students, and individuals dedicated to protecting and extending public health care to include services like pharmacare, dental care, long-term care, mental health care and home care.

The Coalition is political but non-partisan and receives no government funding.