Local members of the business and non-profit communities are hosting an all-candidates meeting in Burnaby that mixes fun, frivolity and politics.
Paul Kershaw, an academic and public speaker, is hosting the meeting, which will feature provincial candidates from Burnaby.
The event is connected to Kershaw's Gen Squeeze campaign, a call to help people between 25 and 45 deal with higher costs of living and lower wages.
"The Gen Squeeze campaign wants to give younger generations a chance," he said.
According to Kershaw, the Canadian government spends about $45,000 per year per retiree, compared to about $12,000 per person under 45. Meanwhile, the under-45 crowd is dealing with higher costs of housing and lower wages. The event will address some of those issues and raise them with the provincial candidates.
The all-candidates meeting is on Monday, April 22, from 6: 30 to 8: 30 p.m. at the Burnaby Firefighters Club, at 6515 Bonsor Ave. Doors open at 6 p.m., and there will be entertainment, complimentary appetizers and refreshments. There will also be a burger and beer special for $9.25. After the debate, there will be a chance to chat with Kershaw and participating politicians.
Kershaw said his Gen Squeeze campaign also focuses on fun.
"We know as we look at history that a lot of social change has involved bringing people together in fun ways so they can combine doing politics with having fun," he said.
The event is sponsored by the Burnaby Board of Trade, Investors Group, Burnaby Family Life, the Burnaby Early Childhood Development Table, Burnaby Interagency Council, the Firefighters' Club and the South Burnaby Neighbourhood House.
Register to attend by calling Burnaby Family Life at 604-659-2200. There will also be free child minding with healthy snacks, but register ahead of time, as space is limited to 12 children.
For more information on Kershaw's campaign, go to gensqueeze.ca.
