Voters in the Town of Westlock will have their chance to put the three candidates for the upcoming byelection under the microscope
Hosted by the Westlock Library in cooperation with the Westlock News, the debate goes Saturday, Sept. 26 from 3 to 4 p.m. in the library’s main building.
All three candidates —Pierre Ouimet, Benita Pedersen and Murtaza Jamaly — have confirmed their attendance.
Library director Doug Whistance-Smith will moderate and said that with voters spoiled for choice when it comes to the byelection, any chance to help them decide is important.
“Each one of our candidates for council is very strong,” he said. “They’ve been in this community for a long time and they know the people and people know them.
“Really at this point you could mark the personalities and the philosophies in an article, but this is an opportunity to meet them, to get to know where they stand on certain issues and to see how they respond when they are on the mat.”
Each candidate will get a chance to address the audience on issues of their choice at the start and finish of the debate, but the bulk of the event will be in the form of questions and answers.
Audience members will have a chance to submit questions to the candidates, which Whistance-Smith is urging everyone to do.
“If the people attending view the debate as a job interview, then what kind of questions will they ask?” he said.
“What is the big issue that Joe Townsperson is concerned about? If it’s infrastructure, then ask a question about that. If it’s about inviting new business into the community, or the economics of council, write a question that’s thoughtful about that.”
Debate organizer and publisher of the Westlock News George Blais said it was important for our democracy that forums like this one occur.
“It’s a great chance for voters to come and see what the people who want to represent them have to say,” he said.
“One of the three candidates will end up making decisions that affect all of us so it’s important that we get the opportunity to test them as much as possible.”
As a place of ongoing learning and knowledge, the Westlock Library is an ideal location for the forum.
The space where the debate will be held is large enough to hold a big turnout, but small enough not to be impersonal.
Whistance-Smith said it also fits into the role of the library as a place of community importance.
“The library is a non-partisan information source,” he said. “It’s the hub of community, it’s where people come to find answers that they’re looking for.
“The library is the heart of the community, it’s the hub of the community, and the brain of the community. We provide that service and that’s exactly what we’re here for.”
Once the debate concludes, the candidates will be available for a meet and greet and all will also have the opportunity to provide election materials to interested voters.
If you can’t make it to the debate on the day, the Westlock News will provide full coverage of the event in the Sept. 29 edition.
The byelection goes Monday, Oct. 5.
