As the City of Winkler prepares for a significant by-election, the Winkler Chamber of Commerce is organizing a livestream Candidate Forum to provide voters with the opportunity to engage directly with those seeking office. Tanya Chateauneuf, the Chamber’s Executive Director, emphasized the importance of the event describing the forum as a key moment for community involvement.
“This is where the community can ask questions that matter to them in a fair, controlled setting,” Chateauneuf said. You will have the option to submit questions at the forum, but Chateauneuf also encourages emailing questions to director@winklerchamber.com before the forum on Monday (November 18) at 6 pm.
With three candidates vying for one open position on City Council (Ryan Hildebrand, Pam Fedack, and Dustin Brown), she noted that the forum is designed to ensure all candidates have equal time to address the community’s concerns.
Virtual forum ensures broad access for Winkler residents
Given the tight timeline leading up to the by-election, the Chamber has chosen to host the forum virtually to maximize accessibility for residents. Scheduled for Monday, November 18, from 6:00 to 8:00 PM, the event will be live-streamed, enabling residents to participate from home. Chateauneuf explained that the Chamber aims to reach as many people as possible, noting, “Everyone in Winkler can tune in, submit questions, and be a part of this important process.”
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A fair and transparent process for public questions
The Chamber’s forum format includes several safeguards to ensure fairness and transparency. A moderator will oversee the proceedings, providing each candidate with equal time to respond to questions. Viewers can submit questions live during the event or in advance via email to the Chamber. Questions may be directed to specific candidates or open to all, allowing for a broad discussion of issues. A card system will be used to let candidates indicate their interest in responding to open questions, which Chateauneuf said is intended to encourage engagement from each candidate.
Chamber stresses the importance of voter engagement
As a nonpartisan organization, the Winkler Chamber of Commerce remains neutral but sees forums like these as an essential service to the community. “We really encourage the community to get involved, to vote, and to ask questions,” Chateauneuf said. "This directly impacts every resident, and we each have a role in shaping the future of Winkler.”
Encouraging active participation
With the forum now set, the Chamber hopes for strong turnout and active participation from the community. As Chateauneuf noted, engagement with local leaders and decision-makers is a valuable way for residents to influence the issues that impact their daily lives. For the City of Winkler, the upcoming forum represents not only a chance to hear from candidates but also an opportunity for voters to voice their priorities and shape the path forward.
Find the by-election forum livestream here.
