The P.A. and District Chamber of Commerce will host a series of election forums starting with the Prince Albert mayoral candidates tonight from 6:30 p.m. (website/P.A. and District Chamber)

By Glenn Hicks

civic election 2020

Chamber hosts series of municipal election forums from tonight

Oct 27, 2020 | 11:00 AM

The provincial election is barely in the books but already the public’s attention will shift to the municipal elections looming on Nov. 9.

Because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and the restrictions on public gatherings, the Prince Albert and District Chamber of Commerce is hosting four virtual forums over the next four days involving the candidates in Prince Albert and surrounding R.M. elections. The public can watch these online on either the Chamber’s YouTube channel or Facebook page, and also take part in questions or offer comments on these social media and livestream platforms during proceedings.

The deadline to submit questions by email has passed but questions can also be texted in during the events at 306-961-3333.

Each forum, running Tuesday through Friday, will start at 6:30 p.m.

“This is our one opportunity to have our voices heard,” Chamber CEO Elise Hildebrandt told paNOW when speaking about the importance of public engagement in the democratic process. “I know this sounds harsh, but if you don’t vote please don’t come in and complain to us about how something is going. You didn’t speak up when you had the opportunity.”

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Hildebrandt said she likes the virtual forums and thinks they offer a better opportunity than conventional live in-person forums of the past, because everyone can attend and review and replay the content online.

“I actually think this is a better way to reach more people,” she explained, noting she had heard from other jurisdictions the virtual option was beneficial.

“People can review and replay the forum online after it has been conducted and because of that we’ve heard that some people actually changed the way they’re going to vote,” she said.

The first forum – this evening – will feature the four mayoral candidates in Prince Albert: Greg Dionne, Darryl Hickie, Dennis Nowoselsky and Josh Morrow.

Then on Wednesday it will be the turn of the various ward councillor candidates to have their say.

The chamber will also host a forum for all P.A. City Council ward candidates on Wednesday. (website/PA and District Chamber)

On Thursday and Friday there will be forums involving the R.M. of Prince Albert and R.M. of Buckland candidates respectively.

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glenn.hicks@jpbg.ca

On Twitter:@princealbertnow