Seniors are frustrated that Red Deer MP Earl Dreeshen will not participate in the federal election candidate forum set for April 28 at the Golden Circle.
“We’re very disappointed. It’s difficult to understand why they wouldn’t participate in a forum when it’s going to be attended by people who are so important in this community, the seniors,” said Viggo Nielsen, president of Central Alberta Council on Aging, on Friday.
The forum, organized by Central Alberta Council on Aging, Council of Canadians and Friends of Medicare, will run from 1:30 to 4 p.m.
NDP candidate Stuart Somerville has confirmed with organizers he will attend the forum.
Green Party candidate Mason Sisson told the Advocate he will attend and so did Progressive Canadian Party candidate Matt Chapin. The Liberal candidate has not yet been announced.
Dave Grant, campaign manager for Dreeshen, said Dreeshen wasn’t available for the event scheduled so close to election day.
Grant said he wasn’t Dreeshen’s scheduling agent so he couldn’t say what Dreeshen was doing on April 28.
“We can’t attend everyone’s forum, time-wise,” Grant said.
The Red Deer Chamber of Commerce election forum on April 18 at 7 p.m. at the Westerner Park Chalet is the only other public election forum advertised so far.
szielinski@www.reddeeradvocate.com