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Candidates’ meeting will put council hopefuls in a ‘fishbowl’

Debate is tonight, Oct. 15, at Vancouver Island Conference Centre
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A select candidates’ debate is being held Monday, Oct. 15, from 6-9 p.m. at the Vancouver Island Conference Centre. NEWS BULLETIN file photo

Voters can get a chance tonight to see how Nanaimo city candidates might work together if they’re elected.

A select candidates’ debate is being held Monday, Oct. 15, from 6-9 p.m. at the Vancouver Island Conference Centre.

The debate is being hosted by the Greater Nanaimo Chamber of Commerce and the Our Nanaimo voter engagement group. An application process was used to select 25 council hopefuls, who have been split into smaller groups for what’s being called a “fishbowl forum,” according to an event press release.

“Five questions, addressing key local themes will be put to small groups of candidates. Each group will debate one topic live in a council-simulated format,” the press release notes.

Participants have been notified of their groups and potential topics for discussion.

Election day is Oct. 20, with advance voting on Oct. 17. Nanaimo voters will elect a nine-member council – a mayor and eight city councillors.

To read questionnaire responses from 75 local government election candidates, click here or here. For interviews with more than 45 local government election candidates, click here.

Previous voter information events:

Nanaimo council candidates talk about public consultation and branding the city

Candidates talk economic development and other priorities at meet and greet

City council candidates take on regional themes at town hall

Mayoral candidates debate their visions for leadership in Nanaimo

School budget debated at all-candidates’ meeting for Nanaimo trustee hopefuls

Candidates ponder affordable housing and homelessness

Candidates talk waterfront planning, supportive housing at south-end debate

Five-candidates’ meeting held in north Nanaimo