At every election, the public is given opportunities to quiz candidates on issues that concern them.
This year, however, there is a change to the all-candidates meetings. On account of the large number of candidates, the duration of the 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 for a debate among mayoral candidates. The chamber has invited the three 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.
At the chamber meeting, candidates will get one minute to introduce themselves and give background before they will be asked to vote on a hypothetical question before council.
Each candidate will get at least two one-minute opportunities to explain their positions. Four candidates will be able to respond after each “vote.”
• 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 Wednesday, Nov. 16 at Brookswood Secondary School auditorium, 20802 - 37A Ave. The forum is sponsored by the Langley Teachers Association and CUPE Local 1260.
• 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.
This event will take place on Wednesday, Nov. 16 at Langley Events Centre, from 7 to 9 p.m.
At the Nov. 16 event, there will be an introduction speech by each participating candidate, followed by an informal meet and greet. The cost of booking the room is being divided by those who agree to participate.
In addition, Shaw Cable will televise their interviews with Langley Township candidates on Saturday, Nov. 5 at 8:15 p.m. and it will repeat on Sunday, Nov. 13 at 11:30 a.m.
The Salmon River Enhancement Society will not hold its traditional environmentally-themed forum for candidates.
SRES director Doug McFee said that the large number of candidates “made it impossible to find a format that would be fair to all concerned.”