A Candidates Debate will be taking place this week Wednesday evening at the Evan's Theatre at Brandon University for the federal elections Brandon-Souris Riding. This is a collaboration between the Brandon University, the Brandon Sun and they'll be streaming through Westman Communications Group on WCGTV.
The Candidates Debate takes place on April 23rd from 7:00-9:00 pm at the Evans Theatre, Brandon U.
Brandon U spokesman, Grant Hamilton, says the candidates do not get to review the questions before the debate.
"We don't reveal the questions beforehand and we do tweak the format a little bit. For example, a municipal election has a lot more candidates and options, requiring a different approach than a federal election where there may be only four candidates. This allows us to follow up with questions."
"We ask questions sometimes to one candidate if it's related to a specific party platform or something personal in their campaign or history," adds Hamilton. "Typically, the questions are thematically similar for each candidate, allowing them to bring forward their answers. With fewer candidates in a federal election, we can follow up with them, ask additional questions, and push them a bit to get past just the speaking points and find out more about what they really think."
"The importance of voting, getting out, and being involved in our local politics is crucial," says PC Candidate Grant Jackson
"I'm no stranger to debates," says PC Candidate Grant Jackson. "I'm looking forward to sharing my views and the platform of the Conservative Party of Canada with Westman residents. The importance of voting, getting out, and being involved in our local politics is crucial. That first step can be chatting with me or attending this debate, which is open to the public."
"I encourage Manitobans to reach out if they want to chat or stop by for a visit," add Jackson. "It's important to vote in this election, so make sure you get out either to the advanced polls or on Election Day. You can also vote any day at the Elections Canada returning office on Princess Avenue in Brandon."
"Look for different sources to see a variety of opinions and then take that into the debate and listen carefully," says NDP Candidate Quentin Robinson.
"Like every debate, when the time comes, it's good to do some research from reliable sources," shares NDP Candidate Quentin Robinson. "Sometimes when people say research these days, they mean Googling the same sites they continue to visit again and again, which may just confirm the opinions or news they're already getting. Look for different sources to see a variety of opinions and then take that into the debate and listen carefully."
"There are very clear choices to be made in this year's election," notes Robinson, "and the debate should be an opportunity to discern those clear differences. The more prepared you are, the easier it will be to hear the differences between what is being offered by the various parties and individuals."
"In the end, we vote for both party and individual. Find out who these people are, their life paths, their records of community service, and other qualifications that will help them be good leaders," adds Robinson.
Please listen to more with Brandon University's Grant Hamilton below!