In preparation for this fall's federal election, the Kenora and District Chamber of Commerce has announced they will be hosting an All Candidates Debate.
The debate will take place on Thursday, September 9, 2021, from 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. at the Seven Generation’s Auditorium.
“We've been doing it for a long time focusing on meeting all the candidates from each particular party, so the people of Kenora get a chance to see what’s going on and have their input,” said Andrew Scribilo Kenora & District Chamber of Commerce President
The five Kenora riding candidates that will be attending will be incumbent Conservative candidate Eric Melillo, NDP candidate Janine Seymour, Liberal candidate David Bruno, Remi Rheault of the Green Party, and Craig Martin of the Peoples Party of Canada.
To begin the debate candidates will be given 4 minutes to present an overview of their political platform.
Following the platform presentations, a question period will take place. On the evening of the event, each candidate will select one pre-submitted question, up to five questions will be selected for the event.
The candidates will be advised of the five selected questions no later than Friday, September 3, 2021.
Each candidate will be given 4 minutes to answer the question they have drawn. The other four candidates will then be given 3 minutes after each answered question to add their comments.
To conclude the debate, each candidate will be given 4 minutes for their closing statement. If time allows, there will be an opportunity for one-to-one discussions with the candidates and audience members at the end of the forum.
The KDCC is inviting the public to submit questions. People can submit questions by email to info@kenorachamber.com and must be submitted to the KDCC before 3:00 p.m. on Thursday, September 2, 2021.
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the Chamber is requiring people that want to attend to RSVP to the event. An RSVP can be made by contacting the Chamber at (8070 467 – 4646 or by emailing info@kenorachamber.com. The deadline to RSVP will be 3:00 p.m. Tuesday, September 7, 2021. In-person seats will be on a first come first serve basis.
Scribilo says that all COVID-19 measures will be met for people attending the event such as masking, social distancing, and a COVID screening will be done for each person entering the event.