LAKELAND - Residents of the Lakeland who want to hear directly from the candidates for the federal election will have the chance at a candidates forum in Elk Point on April 14.
The forum is being hosted by the St. Paul and District Chamber of Commerce and the Elk Point and District Chamber of Commerce.
“Democracy is important and we all need to be informed before we can make a decision on election day. So I think it’s important that people have an opportunity to meet with the candidates,” said Yvonne Weinmeier, the executive director for the St. Paul and District Chamber of Commerce.
She said as a non-partisan organization, the Chamber has typically taken on the work of organizing and hosting the candidates forums ahead of elections.
According to Weinmeier, three of the six candidates have confirmed they will attend.
“Shannon Stubbs’ office has confirmed they are not going to be able to be in attendance. I chose multiple dates to try and accommodate everybody but it’s just not possible, so we’re doing the best we can,” said Weinmeier, noting Stubbs’ office did confirm she will attend a candidates forum in Lloydminster on April 16.
NDP candidate Des Bissonette, Christian Heritage Party candidate Michael Speirs, and People’s Party of Canada candidate Michael Manchen will all be attending the forum.
Liberal candidate Barry Milaney and Green Party candidate Bridget Burns have not replied to the invitation yet.
Weinmeier said questions for the candidates can be submitted ahead of time by e-mail to [email protected] or through the Google Form.
“Our board of directors for the Chamber of Commerce are going to be reviewing those questions just to avoid any duplications and categorize them so that a question can be asked and we can get a few different questions answered,” said Weinmeier.
The candidates forum will take place at the Elk Point Allied Arts Centre from 7 – 9 p.m. on Monday, April 14. There is no cost to attend.
The 2025 federal election will take place on April 28. Advance polls are open from April 18 – 21.
