At every election, the public is given opportunities to quiz candidates on issues that concern them.
This year, there is a change to the format of two all-candidates meetings, and one traditionally hosted by an environmental group has been dropped.
On account of the large number of candidates, the duration of the sole meeting for the 27 people running for the eight councillor seats and the three vying for mayor in the Township has been extended.
The Greater Langley Chamber of Commerce is also introducing an entirely new format, with candidates asked how they would vote on an issue, and four of them asked to explain their decisions, in one minute each.
Each candidate will get at least two chances to respond to the hypothetical vote.
The chamber has also invited the three mayoral candidates in the Township (Rick Green, Mel Kositsky and Jack Froese) and the two in the City (Peter Fassbender and Ron Abgrall) to a debate that will take place during the chamber’s regular business meeting in November.
The all-candidates meetings and debate are on the following days:
* Langley City: mayors and councillors, on Wednesday, Nov. 2 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. in the auditorium of Kwantlen Polytechnic University, 20901 Langley Bypass. Note: Free parking is available in the west parking lot off Glover Road.
* Langley Township, mayors and councillors, on Wednesday, Nov. 9 from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Langley Events Centre, 7888 - 200 St.
• Township and City mayoral candidates, on Tuesday, Nov. 15 at the Coast Hotel Convention Centre, 20393 Fraser Hwy. This event is part of the Chamber’s business meeting. Reservations are required, and the cost is $45 plus HST for non-members. Call 604 530-6656.
• Langley school district candidates for trustee in both City and Township, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 15 at Brookswood Secondary School auditorium, 20802 37A Ave. This is sponsored by the Langley Teachers Association and CUPE Local 1260.
The Salmon River Enhancement Society will not hold its traditional environmentally-themed forum for candidates.
SRES director Doug McFee said that the group was contemplating hosting a meeting with the Fort Langley Community Association and other community groups, but the large number of candidates “made it impossible to find a format that would be fair to all concerned.”
There will be one other chance to meet Township council candidates.
A group of Langley Township council candidates are organizing a “meet and greet” event, so that potential voters can meet as many candidates as possible.
The event will take place on Wednesday, Nov. 16 at Langley Events Centre, from 7 p.m.to 9 p.m.
Candidate Sonya Paterson and several others came up with the idea, after finding out about the format of the candidates meeting being organized by the chamber.
At the Nov. 16 event, there will be an introduction speech by each participating candidate, followed by an informal meet and greet.