Dan Albas, Conservative MP, Central Okanagan-Similkameen-Nicola

(ROB MUNRO / iNFOnews.ca)

Conservative incumbent Dan Albas’ popularity is slipping with less than a week to go before the Oct. 21 federal election.

Two weeks ago, a 338canada.com poll showed Albas with 43.3 per cent of the vote in the Central Okanagan-Similkameen-Nicola riding.

By yesterday, Oct. 15, he had slipped to 39.8 per cent.

That would have been worrying news last week as Liberal Mary Ann Murphy’s vote surged to 30 per cent. But her numbers have since fallen back down to 27.7 per cent, about half a per cent higher than they were two weeks ago.

What has changed is the race for third place.

Two weeks ago, the Green Party had a slight lead over the NDP. That has reversed so, as of yesterday, Joan Phillips of the NDP was predicted to get 16.3 per cent of the vote, an increase of almost four per cent in the last two weeks.

During that same time period, Robert Mellalieu of the Green Party dropped slightly to 12.8 per cent.

Allan Duncan, of the People’s Party, was not listed in the poll two weeks ago but is now predicted to get three per cent of the vote.

Given there is still time for voters to change their minds, iNFOnews.ca asked:

Name one thing you wish your party was offering that another party offers and explain why? If there is a minority government, would you be willing to work with other parties?

Joan Phillip, NDP

We would be willing to work with any other party that shares our values. The NDP have been very successful, provincially, in working with the Green Party to form government.

Holding the balance of power federally has always resulted in the establishment of policy that Canadians hold dear.

I honestly can't think of anything that another party offers that I wish the NDP had.

Jesse Regier, Libertarian

Our party offers the necessary and good things an effective democracy requires which other parties are not willing to offer.

In order to borrow more money, a government needs to raise taxes. In order to pay off debt, a government needs to spend less than it earns.

The Temporary Wartime Income Tax Act was intended to eliminate the government's debt that followed world wars one and two. That debt has since grown from billions to trillions, and Canadians are more job dependant now than ever. Home prices increase exponentially while wages are comparatively stagnant.

The only thing I've been encouraging the members of our party to add to the member elected statement of policy is nationwide jubilee - debt forgiveness for every citizen, every seven years. This will limit every individual's debt load to seven years or less and will encourage principled wealth building. Coupled with a proper restoration of property rights to individuals which land patents provide, individuals will have the freedom to live sustainable, green, debt free lives of earned luxury without the government's dirty hands invading every aspect of our lives.

Our party will work with any party showing commitment to protecting the rights and freedoms of every individual, without constitutional preclusions and without notwithstanding clauses.

Mary Ann Murphy, Liberal

Issues around early childhood worker (ECE) training, supply, and retention of child care workers, are described by many parents in this Riding as the main underlying factors creating both short and long-term challenges to full participation in the labour force, especially for mothers. Often, unexpected disruptions in childcare scheduling and availability have been cited by parents as significant issues affecting daily work schedules and employment opportunities.

Child care workers, who do some of the most important work in this country, spend approximately $10,000 to receive their training, and then earn approximately $20/ hour or less. Further, the ‘burn-out’ rate of ECE workers is very high, with many factors contributing to the lack of long term stability in both the quality and quantity of programs/services.

I am impressed with a recent policy innovation of the Quebec government, which will offer a $7,000 retention/incentive bonus to child care workers, should they stay on the job for at least two years. This policy initiative for child care workers will aim to address some of the gaps in the supply and retention of workers, ultimately creating increased stability for employers/service providers and parents alike.

If there is a minority government, yes, I would be willing to work with other parties in the interest of all Canadians.

Robert Mellalieu, Green

I thought about the candies and beads the other parties are offering, and I want no part of it.

The Green Party and I won’t stoop to Tax Credits that target core voters. We will not spin or greenwash policies to make them more palatable. No, we are going, to be honest, and forthright and let our actions and leadership be our offer.

Yes. However, they will have to agree to some ground rules first. This will be a similar process that happened in BC with the successful CASA agreement.

Dan Albas, Conservative

At this point, none of the official party platforms have come out so it is unknown what policies will be introduced or other proposals made. One policy that I would like to see changed involves the Canada Pension Plan death benefit. For many families, the death of a loved one is an extremely painful experience.

Increasingly, with the opioid crisis, we are sadly seeing the deaths of younger Canadians often who have undertaken no estate planning. The current CPP one-time death benefit of $2,500 (that is also fully taxable) in many cases does not even cover funeral costs.

This can create financial hardship during one of life’s most challenging times for a family that is grieving from a great loss. I would like to see some changes made with this policy to better help families who have lost a loved one.

Allan Duncan of the People's Party did not respond.

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