CPC candidate missing Abbotsford Chamber forum as residents raise concerns

ABBOTSFORD — The Abbotsford Chamber of Commerce is hosting a business-related all-candidates forum on Wednesday, April 23– but not all Abbotsford-South Langley candidates have confirmed their attendance.

Although New Democratic Party candidate Dharmasena Yakandawela is still pending, the Conservative Party’s Sukhman Gill explicitly won’t be present at the event. Gill also declined an environment-focused meeting in Aldergrove on Wednesday, and all three Conservative candidates in the Langley area missed a senior-focused forum the next day, on April 17.

Residents are taking note. A petition from Concerned Citizens of Abbotsford-Langley addressed to the Conservative Party of Canada (CPC) is demanding accountability from the 25-year-old businessman.

“We, the undersigned, are deeply concerned that Sukhman Singh Gill, the designated Conservative candidate for Abbotsford–South Langley, has refused all invitations to appear at candidate debates, town halls, or any public forums where voters and media can ask questions and assess his suitability to serve as a Member of Parliament,” wrote the organizers.

Organizers ask the CPC to require more participation from Gill or disqualify him as the party’s candidate in the upcoming federal election.

“Voters deserve the opportunity to question and evaluate all candidates—especially one seeking to represent our riding in Ottawa.”

The petition has 4,491 out of its 4,500-signature goal at the time of writing.

Those looking to catch the Abbotsford Chamber of Commerce event can register online. The event is set to run from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. at the Legacy Sports Centre Banquet Hall, near Rotary Stadium.

Candidates confirmed to attend are: Aeriol Alderking (People’s Party of Canada), Kevin Gilles (Liberal Party), Melissa Snazell (Green Party) and Mike de Jong (Independent).