So yesterday I had the pleasure (?) of attending the Vancouver Food Policy Council’s Town Hall meeting. Honest confession, I had no idea what I was attending going into it. I thought that I was attending a meeting that would basically describe to me that what the Vancouver Food Policy Council’s (I’m not even sure I have that right) Food strategy plan was going to be and maybe get some public feedback on it. I was so so wrong. It turned out to be a candidates for the City of Vancouver’s upcoming elections chance to have a town hall meeting (duh), and voice their opinions and have a chance to spread their message for the upcoming municipal election.

Okay, so I thought, great I’ll be entertained by some lively debate and political theatre, sounds like a good Wednesday night, I love the West Wing and a sturdy discussion on the real issues that matter, even if it is just at the municipal level (Yes haters, I know the municipal level is the one that most directly affects our lives, but let’s face it, its also one of the most powerless).

So anyways… question #1 was… “Would you support the Vancouver Food Strategy, (which we worked so hard on) and… blah blah blah…?)

Way to start it off on a loaded question, moderator… WHO IN THEIR RIGHT MIND WOULD SAY: “NO I DON’T, IT SUCKS”?

I was out at this point. Seriously? THAT’S THE QUESTION YOU’RE GOING TO START WITH? No wonder not too many serious major category candidates attended.

How about this question: “Did we just waste a sh*tload of money and time on a makework project that pays lip service to poor people not getting enough food?” It’s just as loaded a question… which btw, I think only half of the candidates replied with any knowledge too, so maybe its a good weeding out question…

But I’m ranting at this point. The responses were a casual form of ass slapping and back patting, with occasionally a hint of somebody having actually read the Vancouver Food Strategy (caveat: I haven’t read it, but I’m basing this blog post on my perception of the candidates responses to the qeustions)

In the end, I love political theatre, its my favourite form of theater, and some of the candidates actually did show a strong commitment to the ideals and involvement and belief in the need to devise a strategy to deal with food insecurity in our city, but I couldn’t help but feel a little disappointed, because I really wanted to have a discussion on the food strategy’s failings and strengths, but that was my fault more than theirs. Oh well, I guess I’ll add it to the list of 20 other things I need to read in my spare time…