Yesterday, Metro Vancouver hosted the 2021 All-Party Federal Election Forum to give candidates contesting the Canadian general election an opportunity to speak about local and regional issues."I truly appreciate the willingness of all of the parties and candidates who joined us to discuss important topics that may otherwise be overshadowed by national and global concerns in election discourse," said Sav Dhaliwal, Chair of the Metro Vancouver Board of Directors. "With the election only days away, I hope this forum helps give the region's voters greater clarity on the parties' positions on local and regional issues that affect their daily lives."The event, streamed live from Metro Vancouver's studio at the Annacis Research Centre, saw lively debate and discussion. A panel of local elected officials posed questions on the topics of climate resilience, critical infrastructure, affordable housing, economic prosperity, transit and transportation as related to the Metro Vancouver region.A full recording of the forum, moderated by broadcaster Jon McComb, is now available:Stream: https://vimeo.com/605206565 Download: https://cloudshare.metrovancouver.org:5001/sharing/fT3rrG6ExCandidates:Peter Julian, New Westminster-Burnaby, NDPRandeep Sarai, Surrey Centre, LiberalDr. Cheryl Matthew, Vancouver East, GreenNote: Invitations were extended to all four major parties with sitting MPs, however the Conservatives did not provide a participant.Moderator:Jon McComb, radio broadcaster and commentatorMetro Vancouver Local Leaders:Sav Dhaliwal, Chair, Metro Vancouver Board and Councillor, City of BurnabyLinda Buchanan, Vice Chair, Metro Vancouver Board and Mayor, City of North VancouverAdriane Carr, Chair, Metro Vancouver Climate Action Committee and Councillor, City of VancouverMike Hurley, Chair, Metro Vancouver Housing Committee and Mayor, City of BurnabyJack Froese, Chair, Zero Waste Committee, Vice Chair, TransLink Mayors' Council and Mayor, Township of LangleyIn early September, as part of Local Government Matters 2021, Metro Vancouver posed six questions in three issues areas to the four major parties contesting the federal election. The questions allow the parties to illustrate how they would address local issues related to the long-term sustainability, resilience and quality of life in the region, particularly with respect to critical infrastructure, climate resilience and affordable housing.Responses from the NDP and Green Party are now available at www.localgovernmentmatters.caLocal Government Matters 2021 is a Metro Vancouver non-partisan initiative that builds on the importance of developing and maintaining an effective working partnership with the next federal government so that Metro Vancouver may collaboratively and effectively address the complex issues facing the region.Metro Vancouver 2021 All-Party Federal Election Forum, September 15, 2021Stream: https://vimeo.com/605206565 Download: https://cloudshare.metrovancouver.org:5001/sharing/fT3rrG6ExLocalGovernmentMatters.ca