Kootenay-Monashee debate goes in Winlaw, Friday

The town of Winlaw in the Slocan Valley will host an all candidates forum for the Kootenay-Monashee riding on Friday, Oct. 16.

The event is scheduled for the Winlaw Hall from 7 to 9 p.m., and former New Denver Mayor Gary Wright will act as moderator.

Candidates include incumbent Steve Morissette for the BC NDP, Warren Mirko – B.C. Conservative Party, Connie Larochelle – B.C. Green Party and Stephen Hill – OneBC Party.

Each candidate will have two minutes to introduce themselves.

The Chamber of Commerce will start the question period, then open the floor to the public.

Each candidate has one minute to answer the questions, however, for one time only, a candidate can have two extra minutes to use whenever they deem necessary.

The extra two minutes can be used in their intro, their conclusion, to answer one of the questions, or to respond to something another candidate has said.

Each candidate will have two minutes to make a concluding statement.

The local event comes immediately following the B.C. Provincial Leaders’ Debate, which went on October 14.

The televised debate featured B.C. NDP Leader David Eby, interim B.C. Conservative Leader Lorne Doerkson, and B.C. Green Leader Emily Lowan, who clashed over healthcare, affordability, resource extraction, and U.S. tariffs.

The local debate at Winlaw Hall will give residents a chance to hear how the Kootenay-Monashee candidates intend to handle these provincial issues on a regional scale before final voting day on October 24

Attendees are reminded to be respectful.