Members of the public will have a chance to interact with the candidates running in the 2022 municipal elections later this evening at Luso Hall.
Organized by the Kitimat Chamber of Commerce, this year the all candidates forum is departing from the traditional debate and has instead opted to allow the public to directly ask questions to those running for office.
Candidates for the council and school board trustees will each have designated booths and the public can show up anytime between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m tonight and walk around, asking questions.
”The reason for the change in how we are doing all candidate’s forum is simple. We wanted to allow all residents to have a chat with all the potential candidates face to face,” said Laurel D’Andrea, executive director, of the chamber.
“It’s a great way to engage the community and see how the candidates respond to impromptu questions. The other reason is sometimes when we have official forums it’s not as easy for individuals to speak in public, so this way is less threatening to them,” she added.
The chamber of commerce has also produced a podcast featuring some of the candidates. It will be available on the chamber’s website from Oct. 1 to general election day on Oct. 15.
Nine candidates are vying for six vacant positions on the council this year. Incumbent Phil Germuth was acclaimed mayor on Sept. 19.
For those who cannot make it to the polls Oct. 15, advanced voting is available on Oct. 5 and on Oct. 12.