The race to replace outgoing MLA Genia Leskiw is set to heat up over the next two weeks with candidates debates set for both Bonnyville and Cold Lake.
An open candidates forum will take place at Dr. Brosseau School in Bonnyville on April 30. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. with the debate starting a 7 p.m.
PC candidate Craig Copeland, Wildrose candidate Scott Cyr and Alberta Party candidate Rob Fox have all been confirmed for the event. The NDP Alberta website lists Josalyne Head as their official Bonnyville/Cold Lake candidate. Attempts by the Nouvelle to contact her have been unsuccessful.
The Bonnyville and District Chamber of Commerce, in part with the Nouvelle, will put on the debate.
The event will follow a format similar to past debates. Candidates will get three-minutes to provide their opening remarks, before being asked a serious of prepared questions by host Vic Sadlowski. The public will then be given a chance to ask the three candidates any question they wish.
“The forum is an excellent opportunity for our members and the public to ask important questions,” said Bonnyville Chamber director Megan Naylor. “It's so important that everyone votes. Quite often people don't know what each candidate is about and that may hold someone back from voting. By having the forum, it gives people the information they need to make an informed decision on who to vote for.”
According to Naylor the local Chamber of Commerce has sent out an email to all of its members asking for suggestions on questions to ask the candidates. The prepared questions asked at the start of the debate will be carefully constructed from the feedback received.
The debate will end with several minutes of closing remarks from each of the candidates.
Along with a debate in Bonnyville the three candidates will be meeting in Cold Lake on Wednesday, April 22 at the Lakeland Inn. The event will start at 7 p.m.
Each forum is being held in advance of the upcoming provincial election, which will see Albertans go to the polls on May 5.
