The Sooke Region Chamber of Commerce and the Sooke Multi-Belief Initiative will be hosting an All Candidates Event on Friday, October 11th from 7:00 to 9:00 pm at the Edward Milne Community School Theatre in Sooke.

The event will be using a unique format that is not commonly seen at all-candidates debates. Instead of engaging in a political debate, the candidates at this event will be asked to explain their visions for the future in a non-confrontational way.

“Federal election politics has become a battleground of antagonism and personal attacks rather than a clear conversation on issues and opportunities that matter locally and nationally,” said Don Brown of the Sooke Multi-Belief Initiative.

“The presentation format that we will be using will enable the candidates to share their personal visions for the future of our riding and our country. We want to hear substantive answers to important issues from each candidate, not campaign slogans or attacks on each other’s party platforms.”

The candidates will be asked to respond to questions on the following issues:

• Social Inequality,
• Affordability and Taxes,
• Climate Change, and
• Willingness to work with the other parties in government.

The discussion will be moderated by Maja Tait, the Mayor of the District of Sooke Municipality.

After the formal presentations, there will be an opportunity for the members in the audience to meet and talk informally with the candidates.

Note: The Conservative Candidate will not be attending

Note: Candidates were selected based on accessibility at the time this event was being organized. The candidates not speaking today have all been invited to answer the same four questions in writing and the Chamber will distribute their responses so that all voices have the opportunity to be heard. Everyone is welcome to ask more questions of any candidates in the lobby afterwards.