Unfortunately, there will not be an all-candidates forum in 100 Mile House in the run-up to the Oct. 19 federal election.
The South Cariboo Chamber of Commerce, which normally hosts the all-candidate forums, was unable to get enough volunteers to run one this year.
When it was verified the Chamber was stepping back from holding a forum for the Kamloops-Thompson-Cariboo Riding candidates a couple of weeks ago, the 100 Mile House Free Press decided to look into the possibility of hosting the event on short notice.
The first thing to be determined was whether a date could be found that all candidates could attend a forum in 100 Mile House.
E-mails were sent to all four candidates asking for dates they would be available. When their availability dates arrived, we couldn't get agreement on a day suitable for all of the candidates.
So, the Free Press had to find another way to get platforms and introductions from the candidates, and provide a format that would allow members of the public to ask them questions.
We have published two platforms now and will be publishing the final two on Oct. 1, along with all of the candidates' introductions.
Questions will be answered in the Oct. 8 and 15 editions of the Free Press.
We are now accepting questions from the public, so they can be compiled and sent to the candidates for answers.
We will not accept questions that are directed at one or two candidates only. Questions must be phrased so all candidates can answer them.
Guidelines:
• Please make sure your question pertains to the Kamloops-Thompson-Cariboo Riding. It could be a national debate issue, but phrase the question so the answer will be meaningful to the residents in this riding.
• Please do not make long lead-up statements before asking a question.
• Please make your questions short and to the point.
The Free Press encourages members of every sector of our great community, who have a question they would like answered, to send us one – please include a name and contact number in case we need additional information.
The deadline to get your questions to us is 8 a.m. on Oct. 4.
Questions can be e-mailed to newsroom@100milefreepress.net, or dropped through the Free Press mail slot at #3 Uptown Plaza (former Pinkney Complex) at 536 Horse Lake Rd. in 100 Mile House.
The 100 Mile House Free Press reserves the right to edit questions content and brevity.