ELECTIONS 2014: Where to hear from the candidates

(JENNIFER STAHN / iNFOnews.ca)

October 17, 2014 - 7:28 AM

KAMLOOPS - As we get closer to electing a new council and school trustees, several groups are doing their part to ensure we get the chance to get to know the candidates and where they stand on several key points.

The Council of Canadians kicked off the forums with an event in October and then Kamloops Vote 50 partnered with groups to host several more events over the next two weeks.

On Nov. 5, the day advance polls open at Heritage House, another candidate mixer will be held. The Heffley Creek Neighbourhood Association will partner with the voters group for this one, which will take place at Heffley Creek Hall from 6-7 p.m.

Thursday, Nov. 6 candidates have been invited to talk about the arts and culture at the Art We Are, 246 Victoria St., from 6-8 p.m. and

The North Shore Business Improvement Assocation will host a ‘Civic Election Dialogue’ on Nov. 7 at 6:30 p.m. at the North Shore Community Centre (Cottonwood Manor) and on Nov. 10 candidates will head to Desert Gardens at 540 Seymour Street for an all candidates seniors’ forum from noon to 1:15 p.m.

Nov. 13 will see an election forum take place at Sagebrush Theatre from 7-9 p.m.

Kamloops Vote 50 is hosting several other informative events in the weeks leading up to the election to help engage and educate voters and is partnering with Thompson Rivers University to host university-specific events as well. The group also sought public input on election issues through an online survey earlier this month.

Monday, Nov. 10 an all-candidates forum will be held at Desert Gardens, 540 Seymour St., from noon to 1:15 p.m. The forum is aimed at seniors, though the general pubilc is invited.

The Kamloops Chamber of Commerce did something similar with the candidates but with business-specific issues. The videos of candidate responses are now posted online.

On Nov. 6 school trustee candidates from Kamloops and the rural wards will take part in a forum at St. Andrews on the Square from 7-9 p.m. The local teachers union and the district parent advisory council are also also hosting a forum on Nov. 10 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at Thompson Rivers University at the Campus Activity Centre Mountain Room.

There are four mayoral candidates, 28 candidates for the role of city councillor and 15 vying for a school trustee seat. On Nov. 15 Kamloops will elect one mayor and eight councillors, along with five school trustees.

To contact a reporter for this story, email Jennifer Stahn at jstahn@infonews.ca or call 250-819-3723. To contact an editor, email mjones@infonews.ca or call 250-718-2724.

— This story was updated at 11:17 a.m., Oct. 23 with additional forum information.

— This story was updated at 11:03 a.m., Nov. 4 with additional forum information.