While some may be some may be experiencing election fatigue due to the historic length of the current marathon federal campaign, one benefit has been an increase in opportunities to see national party leaders gathered to debate the issues.
It’s one thing to listen to prime ministerial aspirants announce their policies unchallenged before partisan crowds at a seemingly-endless series of staged events – it’s quite another to see how a plan stands up to a withering attack by a well prepared opponent.
In that respect, most pundits seemed to feel the Sept. 28 Munk debate, which featured a great deal of clearly unscripted banter was a win for democracy, allowing voters some insight into not only the policies, but the personalities of the major party leaders.
Local residents are about to get a chance to experience the same type of exchange on a local level. Perth-Wellington riding candidates will gather at the Alma Community Centre on Oct. 6 for an opportunity to present their views to constituents first-hand. Mapleton and area residents are particularly fortunate as the Oct. 6 candidates meeting, scheduled for 7pm, is one of only three scheduled in the Wellington portion of the riding, the others were held on Sept. 30 in Harriston and Oct. 1 in Kenilworth.
Thanks are due to the Alma Optimist Club for stepping up to host this important gathering for local citizens. It should provide a rare chance for voters to connect with the personalities behind the pamphlets.
