Join Daily Xtra for a candidates debate on Thursday, Sept 10.

Meet the frontrunner candidates for Vancouver Centre and ask them about the issues that matter most to the LGBT community this election.

Where: The Odyssey nightclub
686 West Hastings St

Date: Thurs, Sept 10

Time: 7–9pm (doors open at 6pm)

Or watch the debate streamed live on DailyXtra.com.

Livestreaming generously provided by SHAW.

Moderated by Daily Xtra managing editor Robin Perelle, with a special community panel.

John Paul Payne

John Paul comes all the way from Carlow, Ireland and now calls Vancouver home. As a teenager, he spent his summers working as an intern for the Youth Services. His passion for charity and human rights didn’t go unnoticed and he was invited to attend the European Youth Summit in Budapest, Hungary and presented many issues Irelands LGBT youth faced at the time. This helped him receive a Presidents Award at the time.

Skyler Baier
(Photo by: M. Culver/eyesplash images, 2012)

He’s your token blond! Skyler Baier is originally from Calgary and has since moved to Vancouver. As a true Canucks fan and growing up playing sports, Skyler is Outlook TV’s sportcaster and covers stories of gay sports leagues across the Lower Mainland. Skyler has also reported for Local Connection on Shaw TV and was a contestant on Vancouver’s Next Gay Top Model on OutTV in 2008. His hobbies include fitness, jogging, dining, hiking and playing Super Mario games on Saturday mornings after a night of martini’s at his favorite lounge, 1181. If there is one thing you should know about Skyler- he owns several teddy bears.

Christopher Akenhead

Chris’s broadcast passion stems primarily from his love of life. His humble beginnings in the world of entertainment came before his completion of BCIT’s Broadcast Communication Program. Starting with video assignments in high school to converting his basement to a fully functioning theater which led to epic productions of Grease, Titanic and anything to do with the Spice Girls. Impersonating Will Smith and the bald guy from Aqua were among his most memorable roles

His career has taken him into Creative Copywriting, Producing Commercials, On-Air Hosting, Video Editing and DJ work. Chris’s career highlights include spearheading nationally recognized corporate radio campaigns and working in Sydney, Australia as a Cameraman/Editor for Big Review TV. He currently resides in the Vancouver area working for a production company and will be launching a freelance creative business by the end of 2015.

His on camera presenting is a progression of his creative talents, thanks to opportunities with OutlookTV.

Chris’s philosophy is about dreaming big, binging on Netflix occasionally and living a balanced life to the fullest. Watch for his talent on episodes of OutlookTV.

Caryl Dolinko
(Photo: Kimberly French)

Caryl Dolinko is widely regarded as the premier LGBT marketing consultant in Vancouver, Canada (President of Smart Cookie Consulting). She is currently the Co-President for InterPride, (International Association for LGBT Pride Organizers) as well as the Communications Director, establishing a global brand and presence for the organization. She is the President of Friends Help Friends; was the Sponsorship and Communications Coordinator for Vancouver Pride (2005-2011); the chair of the 2008 InterPride Annual Conference; the host committee organizer for the International Gay and Lesbian Travel Association (IGLTA) conference; the Co-Chair for the City of Vancouver Advisory Committee on Diversity Issues; a reporter on Outlook TV; and has worked with many other organizations including the Vancouver AIDS Memorial, UNICEF and the Mabel League.

Her commitment to LGBT rights and worldwide equality is informed by her experience as a fearless and independent traveller.  She has traveled independently to 71 countries on six continents and is the author of three travel books, including the Canadian bestseller, The Globetrotter’s Guide. She is an accomplished travel photographer, presenter, keynote speaker and emcee at high profile events and her expertise and global experiences have been shared on hundreds TV, radio and magazine interviews.

Caryl’s unique perspective on international issues and global diversity enriches her natural business instinct. She is a keen observer of human behaviour and applies her holistic understanding of the world and business to cultural and professional contexts.

Guy comes to us from Ottawa, where he worked on a variety of projects from Making Scenes Queer Film Festival to The Stage For AIDS at the NAC.  Moving to Vancouver in 1999 he continued his love of the arts and community by being the founding president of New Westminster Pride Society and BLQAS (Queer Arts Society).

Guy was honoured to receive the Xtra West Business Citizen of the Year Hero Award in 2009 for his work at Coming Home Café in New Westminter.  He is part of The Bobbers, Canada’s first professional queer Improv Troupe.  Guy is now Bi, bi-coastal that is.  You can find him working in film in Toronto as an art director and is proud to have worked on the Canadian Screen Awards Nominated short film FROST.  As well as Vancouver where he is capturing on camera as much talent as he possibly can.

His goal is to introduce Canada to many of the amazing people he has met in his life.  “There is talent in every corner of this country and being able to give as much attention to people and their passion is the best kind of satisfaction for me.”

Guy tries to live by his favourite quote:

Live The Life You Love

Kelsey Smart

In her 9-5 career, Kelsey is a financial planner in North Vancouver. In between client meetings, she’s raising a PADS puppy-in-training 24/7 for the 1st 2 years of his life. His name is Arrow, and he’s quite an adorable handful! When she’s not financially planning and dispensing kibbles for good canine behaviour, you can probably find Kelsey playing dodgeball, volleyball, softball, or floor hockey; binging out on Netflix; or hanging out with her pet hedgehog, Harriet Deadly$niper Tiggywinkle.

Dan Dumsha

Dan Dumsha is tickled pink to co-host Outlook TV! Dan is a classically trained actor, a certified teacher, and a corporate senior consultant. In Vancouver, Dan performs live improv comedy with the Bobbers Queer Comedy Troupe, Vancouver Theatresports League (Rookie League) and with The Fictionals Comedy Company. Thanks to Fred, and all the Outlook TV team for the passion and talent that they put into this show – it’s an honour to work with you all.

Dan is represented by Connie Hardie Management.
Visit Dan’s website at www.dandumsha.com for more details and photos.