In preparation for the August 26th byelection, the three candidates met with residents of the Spruce Woods Riding at last night's debate at the Avalon Theatre in Souris:
Progressive Conservative Candidate, Colleen Robbins
Manitoba Liberal Party Candidate, Stephen Reid
NDP Pary of Manitoba, Ray Berthelette
The Spruce Woods Riding covers a large area: Brandon North Hill, Glenboro, Souris, Oak Lake, Rivers, Wawanesa, and Spruce Woods. Candidates were mindful that they have both urban and rural community issues to be well-versed in.
The candidates were each asked ten questions that they were able to prepare for. After that there were two questions that were presented by members of the community.
The first audio clip is each candidate's opening statement at the start of the debate. Following that, are the two audio clips of the following two questions that the candidates were not prepared for, and were not scripted.
Opening question: What has motivated you to run in this byelection? What are your goals and objectives?
Community Question 1: Do you have any personal stories or experiences that have made you want to advocate for change in government or policy with regard to healthcare, the justice system, or any other branch of our provincial government?
Community Question 2: Everyone knows we have a healthcare crises in Manitoba. Are you aware of the animal health care crises? Cattle are at a record high prices and farmers cannot find vets to treat them. How would you change the current funding recruitment model to help adjust this?
The next Candidates' Debate will take place next week Wednesday, August 20th at the Spruce Woods Community Hall, at 5 Woods Avenue, Spruce Woods.
Election Day for the Spruce Woods byelection will be Tuesday, August 26th.