A heated debate over marijuana and a fire alarm that sounded during closing statements capped off a spirited series of election debates.
Thursday’s event was the most balanced and liveliest of the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce’s three debates, said president Bruce Carter.
“It went well,” Carter said, noting that the candidates were well matched in skill and ability. “That’s not something we had seen, that same balance, in other ridings.”
The debate included Conservative John Rizzuti, a retired school principal; Green Jo-Ann Roberts, a former CBC host; and incumbent NDP Murray Rankin, an environmental lawyer.
Also running in the riding are Jordan Reichert of the Animal Alliance Environment Voters Party; Independent Saul Andersen; and Libertarian Art Lowe. Cheryl Thomas, the Liberal candidate, withdrew from the race this week over social-media comments she made in the past.
The debate’s three participants faced questions touching on topics such as amalgamation, affordable housing and infrastructure priorities.
Although the Victoria race is projected to be a tight one between the Greens and NDP, Roberts and Rankin spent more time differentiating themselves from the Conservatives than each other.
On the question of their No. 1 infrastructure priority, both Rankin and Roberts pointed to the proposed $18-million Belleville Street Terminal development.
“That’s what the riding wants. That will be the top priority. I will get you that $18 million to the best of my ability,” Roberts said.
Rankin, the incumbent, said he tried to get that $18 million “and I don’t have anything to show for it,” adding: “The federal government has to come to the table.”
Rizzuti waffled between the harbour upgrade and the need for improved transportation options.
“I think the next step is we have to see if we can move people by light rail.”
Throughout the debate, Roberts and Rankin challenged Rizzuti on the Conservative government’s record.
On the question of marine traffic and marine safety, Roberts said the Green Party would ensure oil tanker traffic does not increase and that Conservative-government cuts to coast guard stations would be reversed.
Rizzuti tried to find examples where the government is funding scientific research, focusing on the popular Ocean Networks Canada, which operates the world-leading cabled ocean observatories off B.C.’s coast.
Rankin raised the question of federal funding cuts.
“We’re talking about cuts to the coast guard. … The Conservative government has gutted the Fisheries Act … fired scientists left and right … and muzzled those one who are left,” he said. “We don’t enforce our laws and we don’t take our environment seriously. The NDP will.”
As an example of those cuts, Roberts spoke about former Department of Fisheries scientist Peter Ross, a leading expert on the effects of ocean pollution on orcas and other marine mammals. His toxicology program, out of his Sidney-based lab, was shut down in 2012 due to government cuts. He now works at the Vancouver Aquarium.
At that point, Rizzuti piped up and said: “I would just like to reject this notion that Conservatives are not environment friendly.”
That remark caused Rankin to laugh out loud while Roberts fought to maintain a straight face.
The debate was also lively on the topic of medical marijuana dispensaries.
Rankin said the federal government is ignoring requests for help from municipalities.
“In terms of cannabis dispensaries in Victoria and Vancouver, obviously there is an issue and municipalities are calling for help and the federal government won’t answer the phone,” Rankin said.
The NDP wants to decriminalize marijuana and reform marijuana laws, he said, saying a national discussion is needed around how to do that.
Roberts said decriminalizing marijuana doesn’t allow for the necessary regulation and taxation of the drug, and legalization is the better way to ensure safety and fair distribution.
Rizzuti said the drug is illegal and, from his experience as a school principal, a drug of concern, adding there needs to be more scientific study around dosage, efficacy and access.
Roberts responded that the Conservative government has had nine years to look at the evidence, but instead, ruined its relationship with scientists.
“Right now, the difficulty is marijuana is illegal. Until that gets resolved why would we be going to …” Rizzuti said, unable to finish his sentence before Roberts jumped in.
“Resolve it then; make it legal.”
The chamber videos were broadcast live on the Internet and archived.
To view the Victoria video, as well as those from the Saanich-Gulf Islands and Esquimalt-Saanich-Sooke forums, go to victoriachamber.ca.
ceharnett@timescolonist.com