United Way to Put On Debate For Provincial Candidates This Wednesday
/Provincial candidates have been invited to a debate focused on homelessness in our Peterborough community, held at the All Saints’ Anglican Church from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Wednesday.
Photo by David Tuan bui.
The debate is put on by United Way of Peterborough & District, One City Peterborough, the Research for Social Change Lab at Trent University and All Saints’ Anglican Church.
It will be open to both in-person and virtual audiences. Questions will be sent in advance to all of the candidates, and community members will be able to ask questions in person and virtually.
Homelessness in Peterborough has been a growing issue for several years, says Jim Russell, CEO of United Way Peterborough & District.
“The issue of homelessness and the ravages it has on those experiencing it, cries out, indeed demands leadership, in particular political leadership. We are keen to hear how these candidates will lead our community in ensuring safe affordable, supportive housing for all,” he said. “It is critical that all candidates of each respective political party speak directly to this crisis.”
He continues to state that the provincial government has a significant mandate over housing in Ontario. With an upcoming election, four community organizations partnered to bring an all-candidates debate on homelessness to Peterborough.
“The starting point for any response to homelessness is to adopt a Human Rights orientation to developing community responses” said Dr. Naomi Nichols of the Research for Social Change Lab. “We are pleased to be collaborating with One City and United Way in hosting this event and look forward to the responses from the candidates.”
“More and more of our neighbours are being pushed into homelessness at an alarming rate,” said Christian Harvey, One City Peterborough executive director. “Whoever leads our province next needs to prioritize a plan to address this in a meaningful way. Few issues are as pressing as this in the City of Peterborough and in our province.”
The following are the candidates running for Peterborough-Kawartha MPP:
Dave Smith, Conservative (incumbent)
Jen Deck, NDP
Adam Hopkins, Liberal
Lucas Graham, Green party
