A group of concerned voters wants to tap into the politically apathetic and those disaffected by politics, and talk about some of the issues that matter most to the local citizenry.
Former MLA for Cariboo South David Zirnhelt is helping to facilitate the discussion, which is open to the public and takes place at the Parkside Art Gallery in 100 Mile House at 1 p.m. on Nov. 24.
The group, calling themselves the “Stone Soup Dialogues,” is planning more talks in the future.
Kathryn Askew is one of the organizers. She worked on New Democratic Party candidate Charlie Wyse's campaign in the last provincial election, but stresses the event is non-partisan.
It was working during the election in May in the 100 Mile House area, she adds, where she met many people who wished there was a chance to have further discussion on issues in “a less polarized way” than political parties allow for during election time.
“Things aren't black and white in real life, so this group thought it would be really helpful having an opportunity between elections to talk about issues of interest to people,” Askew says. “It gives people an opportunity to explore what choices they really have in terms of leadership or approaches to issues.”
The group will show a YouTube video entitled “The Story of Mouseland” – a fable made famous by former NDP leader and Saskatchewan premier Tommy Douglas – as a starting point for the meeting.
Askew says the group plans to meet once every two months.
“It's truly a cross-section of people who think it's a good idea to get together and talk and try to bring in people who don't normally vote or who are turned off of politics, and discuss those issues they care about.”