With the April 28 federal election fast approaching, voters in the Saanich-Gulf Islands riding will have ample opportunity to hear from their candidates at a series of all-candidates meetings scheduled across the region.
Elizabeth May of the Green Party, Colin Plant of the NDP, Cathie Ounsted representing the Conservative Party, and David Beckham from the Liberal Party are all slated to participate in the debates, outlining their platforms and addressing crucial issues facing the community.
The schedule is packed with opportunities to engage with the candidates:
Sunday (April 13), 3 to 5 p.m.: Pender Island Recreation and Agricultural Hall Association at Pender Islands Community Hall, 4418 Bedwell Harbour Rd.
Tuesday (April 15), 4:30 to 6 p.m.: Salt Spring Island All Candidates Debate at Fulford Community Hall, 2591 Fulford-Ganges Rd.
Saturday (April 19), from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.: Cedar Room of Saanich Fairgrounds hosted by Saanich Inlet Protection Society.
On Wednesday (April 23), May, Plant, Ounsted and Beckham will face off one final time at a federal all-candidates forum hosted by North Saanich Residents Association (NSRA) at the Saanich Peninsula Presbyterian Church, 9296 E. Saanich Rd., North Saanich, from 7 to 9 p.m.
The NSRA forum will generally follow a format allowing each candidate five minutes to present their platform, followed by a dedicated Q&A session with questions sourced from the audience. Preference will be given to questions covering widely requested topics, followed by questions posed to all candidates and then those directed at specific individuals. Each candidate will also have two minutes for a closing statement.
John Kafka, president of the NSRA, will facilitate the final forum on April 23, ensuring equal speaking time and a balanced discussion on issues pertinent to the community and the country.
Residents are encouraged to attend these meetings to make informed decisions in the upcoming election.
