Federal candidates for the Banff-Airdrie riding — Conservative Party candidate and incumbent Blake Richards, NDP candidate Joanne Boissonneault, Liberal Party candidate Marlo Raynolds and Green Party candidate Mike MacDonald — will all make their case to represent the district during an election forum scheduled for Oct. 8 at the Bert Church Live Theatre.
The Airdrie Chamber of Commerce will host the forum. Events Co-ordinator Marie Lauer said the Alberta Chambers of Commerce mandated the forum.
“(We do it) because we are a nonpartisan (organization). It makes sense for us to do it, and we have done them forever,” she said. “It’s important for us to have a relationship with (politicians).”
The free event will be emceed by Brian Balson. To start the night, each candidate will be given five minutes to deliver his or her opening remarks.
Following a 10-minute break to collect questions from the audience, both written and questions from the floor will be asked of each candidate.
“We give them (each) a minute to respond to each question, so it’s fair,” Lauer said, adding she anticipated between six to 10 questions being posed to the candidates.
A timing clock at the Bert Church Live Theatre will count down remaining time for responses. If a candidate’s answers are going long, Chamber President Wade Cormier will raise coloured sheets of paper indicating time remaining.
“If the time is up, (Cormier) will raise a (certain) colour of sheet and the mic gets cut off. That’s just in the interest of being (fair),” Lauer said.
Lauer said the event was a good opportunity for residents to get informed prior to election day on Oct. 19.
“I think everybody has a right and a responsibility to vote. I think these events are fantastic to give you a really good opportunity to see and hear each candidate and compare them — it’s all under one roof,” she said. “(That way), you’ll be able to form a strong opinion to vote.”
Limited seating is available for the event, so Lauer suggested residents arrive early. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., and the forum will run from 7 until 9 p.m.
