There will be a political debate in Estevan among the candidates for the Souris-Moose Mountain constituency after all.
Last week it was reported that a local debate or public forum in the Energy City appeared doubtful due to an inability to get commitments from all, or at least a majority of the four candidates.
Now, Jackie Wall, executive director of the Estevan Chamber of Commerce, said the last ditch effort did pay off and the public event, which will be televised on the local Access Communications channel, will be held on the evening of Oct. 14.
The campaign team for Conservative candidate Dr. Robert Kitchen told the Mercury they had expressed a desire for an Estevan debate as early as August and had submitted several dates where Kitchen would be available for such a gathering, including at least seven in Oct..
NDP candidate Vickie O’Dell had expressed disappointment with the possibility of there being no public forum in Estevan since she hails from Weyburn and was looking forward to the additional exposure with the local electorate.
Debates were held in Weyburn and Moosomin and Wall said after a lot of phone calls and with a number of details ironed out, the Estevan debate will go ahead in the Legion Hall on Oct. 14, starting at 7 p.m.
“Liberal candidate Steven Bebbington has indicated he will not be participating. All the others are on board,” said Wall, referring to Kitchen, O’Dell and Green Party candidate Bob Deptuck.
“It will be a great opportunity for undecided voters, and, of course, for those who want to support their favoured candidate,” said Wall.
Details surrounding the format and as to who will serve as moderator for the evening are still being completed, but Wall said it has been determined the event will unfold with each of the three candidates being given a few minutes for opening comments. That will be followed by a limited series of questions compiled by Estevan Chamber of Commerce members and then closing remarks.
“What we have not determined yet is the possibility of fielding questions from the floor and what the total timeline should be if we do that,” said Wall. “I’m just happy to report that things did come together. We understand it would have been preferable to have held it earlier, but this date will work for the candidates and we hope the public gets involved.”
