In our Valley, water issues are often in the news. Whether it is extreme rain and tides, boiling our drinking water, or dealing with summer shortages, more and more we find that water is something we need to pay attention to.

This is why several local groups have invited our provincial political candidates to an all- candidates forum focused on water. The public is invited to attend and hear what our potential representatives have to say regarding their plans to address water-related challenges in the Valley and province-wide. Attendees will also have the opportunity to ask questions, through written questions provided to the event organizers.

The Water All-Candidates Forum will take place on May 2 from 7-9 p.m. at the Stan Hagen Theatre at North Island College. Candidates confirmed to attend are Ronna-Rae Leonard from the BC NDP, Ernie Sellentin of the BC Green Party and Leah McCulloch of the BC Conservative Party. With the provincial election happening on May 9, this will be the last chance to attend an all-candidates forum.

鈥淲e are excited to be bringing the candidates together on this topic, as there is so much that our provincial government can do to help us with our water problems. We will be relying on our provincial MLA to help us get things done,鈥� said event organizer Tanis Gower, who is a member of the Comox Valley Conservation Partnership.

Other event organizers are the local chapter of of the Council of Canadians, the Canadian Freshwater Alliance, Watershed Watch Salmon Society, and the Watershed Sentinel magazine. The Canadian Freshwater Alliance鈥檚 Coree Tull notes that 鈥淏.C.鈥檚 new Water Sustainability Act gave us an opportunity to have world-class legal protections for B.C. waters, ensuring healthy water for people and nature. However, two years after the Act came into force, significant gaps remain. Now, more than ever, we need to ensure that British Columbia鈥檚 next government will take action to create and enforce better rules to protect water.鈥�

The event will encourage respectful dialogue. The moderator will be Bob Wells, a City of Courtenay councillor who also serves on the Comox Valley Regional District Water Services Committee and the Drinking Watershed Advisory Group.

If specific questions are not answered during the main event, the candidates will be available subsequently to chat.

The event is open to everyone and is being held on unceded K鈥櫭砿oks territory. For more information contact info@cvconservationstrategy.org

You can find the event on facebook at 鈥淰ote for Water: Courtenay-Comox Water All Candidates Forum.鈥�