Expect climate change to be on the agenda tonight, as five candidates will meet to debate the issues in the first all-candidates meeting of the 2025 election in the riding of Pitt Meadows-Maple Ridge.
The Maple Ridge Climate Hub is hosting the event on Thursday, April 10 at 7 p.m., at the Seniors Activity Centre, at 12150 224 St. They are partnering with the group Cinema Politica, the CEED Centre Society and HUB Your Cycling Connection.
There will also be some "very pointed questions" about climate change, noted Kirk Grayson, past president of the Climate Hub.
"But we know that's not the singular issue people are concerned about," she said, adding that tariffs, Canadian sovereignty, and health care will be among the issues debated.
Brian Clark, who has served on City of Maple Ridge's environmental committees, will be the moderator for the event.
There are five people from the riding trying to earn votes on election day, April 28. They are Conservative incumbent Marc Dalton, NDP Candidate Daniel Heydenrych, Liberal Angeline Rowell, People's Party of Canada candidate Chris Lehner, and Peter Buddle of the Rhinoceros Party.
Notably absent is the Green Party, who initially announced Laura Anderson as a candidate, but she will not be running.
Lehner will not be attending this debate, noted Grayson.
There will be two more candidates debates prior to the election, on April 22 at the Whonnock Lake Centre (27871 113th Ave.), hosted by the Maple Ridge Teachers Association, and finally on April 24 at Meadowridge School, hosted by the Ridge Meadows Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber is taking registrations online.
