It has been confirmed the Battlefords Chamber of Commerce will again host an all-candidates forum this federal election year.
The forum will be at Third Avenue United Church Sept. 28 and will take place from 7 to 9 p.m. The event is open to the public and will take on a similar format to previous years with opening and closing remarks as well as time for written questions from both Chamber members as well as the public.
According to Executive Director Linda Machniak of the Battlefords Chamber of Commerce, at least three of the four candidates for Battlefords-Lloydminster will be appearing.
The indication is that those candidates appearing will be Gerry Ritz (Conservative), Sandra Arias (NDP) and Larry Ingram (Liberal). It appears unlikely at this point that the Green Party will participate, due to the distance the candidate must travel from Prince Albert.
“We’ve confirmed the three main candidates and we’re getting their packages out to them right away,” Machniak told Chamber directors at their meeting Tuesday night. She was also seeking volunteers for the evening and there were early expressions of interest from those at the meeting.
“The Battlefords Chamber of Commerce is proud to sponsor this type of public forum,” said Chamber president Brendon Boothman in a news release Wednesday.
“It provides residents the opportunity to hear, and perhaps, compare the candidates, assisting them to make the decision on who they wish to represent them in the national government.”
This is just one of the election forums planned for Battlefords-Lloydminster. The Lloydminster Chamber of Commerce has announced it is holding an all-candidates forum Oct. 7 from 6:30 to 10 p.m. The location is the Civic Centre, 5405 - 49th Ave. in the upstairs area in that facility.
That forum will include candidates for both Lloydminster constituencies. Candidates on the Saskatchewan side will take the floor first, with Alberta to follow.
