With just over two weeks to go before Canadians head to the polls, voters in the Okanagan Coquihalla riding have been provided ample opportunity to make an informed choice on the future direction of the country.
Penticton residents will get their first chance to see the five candidates in the May 2 federal election go head to head at a forum Monday sponsored by the Penticton and Wine Country Chamber of Commerce. The event begins at 7 p.m. at the Penticton Trade and Convention Centre.
That will be followed closely by a second forum Tuesday at the South Main Seniors Drop-In Centre. The Penticton Western News is proud to have played a role in sponsoring, along with the South Okanagan Seniors Wellness Society, the forum focusing on issues important to seniors that will run from 1:30 to 3 p.m.
But while seniors may be a key demographic here in the Okanagan, youth will also be served during this election campaign. A Rock Your Vote event will look to energize the community’s youth Saturday at 7 p.m. at the Shatford Centre. Local musicians and artists have donated their time to help raise awareness of political issues for those between the ages of 18 and 35 (along with the young at heart).
Forums will also be held April 19 in Peachland as well as April 26 at Summerland’s Centre Stage Theatre to accommodate voters in the northern end of the riding.
The Western News also began a series this week profiling all the candidates in the election. The profiles aim to look beyond the political posturing and election platforms to provide insight into the candidates’ personal lives. Those profiles will be followed up with a series of questions and answers with all the candidates.
We would hope the information provided through these various forms will give voters the tools they need to cast an informed vote on May 2.
— Penticton Western News