Three all-candidates meetings are scheduled in the Parksville Qualicum Beach area ahead of the Oct. 15 municipal elections.
The Qualicum Beach Residents’ Association (QBRA) meeting is set for Sunday, Sept. 25, from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. (doors open at 2:30 p.m.) in the Pioneer Room of the Qualicum Beach Civic Centre (747 Jones St).
The meeting will be divided into two parts, with the first focusing on the town’s two mayoral candidates and will include an opportunity for questions from the floor, according to a news release by the QBRA.
The second half will focus on councillor candidates.
“Each councillor candidate will be asked to introduce themselves, explain why they are running, and the issues most important to them,” the release read.
“Questions will not be taken by the councillor candidates.”
The meeting is sponsored by the QBRA, in collaboration with the Eaglecrest, Chartwell and Qualicum Woods Residents’ Associations, according to the Town of Qualicum Beach website.
Knox United Church (345 Pym St.) in Parksville will host an all candidates forum on Sept. 26 at 7 p.m.
Residents are encouraged to bring their questions. There will be limited capacity, with masks optional. The event will be live-streamed.
The Eaglecrest Residents’ Association’s (ERA) all-candidates meeting will go ahead Tuesday, Sept. 27, from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. (doors open at 6:30 p.m.), also located at the civic centre.
The meeting is sponsored by the ERA, in collaboration with the Chartwell and Qualicum Beach Residents’ Associations.
“This public meeting is the opportunity for all eligible Qualicum Beach voters to meet and hear from the two candidates for the mayor’s chair, and the 10 candidates vying for council seats,” reads a news release by the ERA. The forum aims to assist electors and election candidates in identifying and respectfully discussing the prominent issues facing the Town of Qualicum Beach.
READ MORE: ELECTION 2022: Candidates in Parksville, Qualicum Beach, RDN and SD69
The ERA meeting will be conducted by Michael Garland, an experienced, independent and unaffiliated moderator, assisted by a timer team, according to the release.
“We are doing our utmost to make sure the meeting is fair, open and transparent to the candidates,” said John Wood, ERA president, in the release. “And offers an organized setting for candidates and voters alike to engage in meaningful dialogue, and discuss the many concerns they have. The residents’ associations are excited about this collaborative meeting, we look forward to seeing you on Sept. 27.”
Residents can submit questions to the moderator, in advance of the meeting, by emailing them to moderator.ACM.2022@gmail.com. Time permitting, questions may be taken from the floor.
COVID-19 regulations will be respected.
— NEWS Staff, submitted