In case you have not heard, we have a Provincial Election on Saturday, October 24.
Volunteers on the Board’s Government Relations (GR) Committee were not surprised by the early election call, given the popularity of Premier Horgan among voters, and the public’s positive opinion of Health Minister Adrian Dix and Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry during the COVID-19 pandemic.
In response to the snap election, the GR volunteers are now preparing to support and join 10 Fraser Valley area virtual all-candidates’ meetings being hosted by chambers of commerce and the Surrey Board of Trade, starting with three on Tuesday, October 6. Our committee’s activities are supported by funds from the BC Real Estate Association.
We have been involved with election meetings since 2001 because they give us opportunities to:
- encourage our members and others in our communities to engage in the election process;
- ask election candidates about their perspectives on housing issues;
- raise the profile of the Fraser Valley Real Estate Board and its members in local communities;
- learn about and understand the key issues people care about in our communities; and
- get to know the election candidates before they are elected as our representatives in government.
Joel Schacter, Director & Chair, FVREB’s GR Committee, says, “With real estate being one of, if not the largest driver of our BC economy, members need to be informed and engaged in this election process. Please take the time to educate yourselves on each party’s position on all things affecting our clients’ ability to buy, sell, rent, or build homes in the Fraser Valley. Let’s hold our politicians’ feet to the fire!”
The GR committee members will be on deck to provide opening remarks from the Fraser Valley Real Estate Board and submit questions for the election candidates to respond to on the topics of housing affordability, strata insurance, and energy retrofits for new and existing homes.
Find out how the candidates respond and learn more about the individuals looking for your vote! The all-candidates’ meetings are free to attend and questions are being accepted in advance or during each meeting.
Here is a list of the meetings scheduled so far (in order by date):
ABBOTSFORD–MISSION RIDING (hosted by Abbotsford Chamber of Commerce):
- Tuesday, Oct. 6, 12 noon to 2 pm
- Register here
MISSION WEST (MAPLE RIDGE–MISSION RIDING) (hosted by Mission Regional Chamber of Commerce):
- Tuesday, Oct. 6, 6 pm to 8 pm
- Register here
ABBOTSFORD–WEST RIDING (hosted by Abbotsford Chamber of Commerce):
- Tuesday, Oct. 6, 4 pm to 6 pm
- Register here
ABBOTSFORD–SOUTH RIDING (hosted by Abbotsford Chamber of Commerce):
- Thursday, Oct. 8, 12 noon to 2 pm
- Register here
MISSION–EAST (ABBOTSFORD–MISSION RIDING) (hosted by Mission Regional Chamber of Commerce):
- Thursday, Oct. 8, 6 pm to 8 pm
- Register here
SURREY (9 RIDINGS) (hosted by Surrey Board of Trade & South Asian Business Association):
- Thursday, Oct. 8, 4:30 pm to 6:30 pm
- Register here
SURREY-CLOVERDALE & SURREY-SOUTH RIDINGS (hosted by Cloverdale District Chamber of Commerce):
- Tuesday, Oct. 13, 4:30 pm to 6 pm
- Register here
LANGLEY–EAST RIDING (hosted by Greater Langley Chamber of Commerce):
- Thursday, Oct. 15, 5 pm to 6:30 pm
- Register here
SURREY-SOUTH & SURREY-WHITE ROCK RIDINGS (hosted by South Surrey & White Rock Chamber of Commerce):
- Thursday, Oct. 15, 9:30 am to 11:30 am
- Register here
LANGLEY RIDING (hosted by Greater Langley Chamber of Commerce):
- Tuesday, Oct. 20, 5 pm to 6:30 pm
- Register here
We asked our meeting partners to comment on the working relationship we have developed over the years during elections. Here’s what they had to say about the support they have received from us.
“We are pleased to partner with FVREB again after having had their support for election debates for the past 20 years. The FVREB consistently contributes thoughtful and relevant policy questions to inform the debate and upholds accountability on key issues impacting the real estate sector and businesses,” says Katerina Anastasiadis, Executive Director, Abbotsford Chamber of Commerce.
“I have been with the Surrey Board of Trade for over 27 years. The Fraser Valley Real Estate Board has been instrumental in their partnership and leadership with Surrey’s city-building business organization since 2001 to implement all candidate meetings for the purpose of educating residents and future politicians on top issues and platforms that affect our everyday lives,” says Anita Huberman, CEO, Surrey Board of Trade.
Jo-Anne Chadwick, Executive Director, Mission Regional Chamber of Commerce, says, “The support we have received from FVREB has contributed greatly to the success of the democratic process in our community. Having this long-term support allows our organization to host a community All-Candidates Forum which brings the voice of businesses to the people that need to hear it.”
Look for updates on the meetings we’re sponsoring and the confirmed election candidates in the Fraser Valley ridings in NewsReal and in our social media channels.
Source: FVREB Communications