With three weeks left in the federal election campaign, there are a variety of forums for voters to hear directly from candidates running to represent the city's two ridings.
Cariboo-Prince George candidates will sound off on local issues tonight during a debate co-hosted by the Prince George Public Library and CBC Radio One.
Beginning at 7 p.m. in the Keith Gordon Room at the Bob Harkins branch, the event will be moderated by Daybreak North host Russell Bowers and will focus on four broad topics: the economy and environment; reconciliation and relationships; local government, local needs; and representation.
Candidates will also be taking questions from the audience.
Seating is first-come, first-served and the debate will also be live streamed online.
Stand Up for the North is hosting their second all-candidates' meeting on Oct. 7 with a focus on Bill C-51.
Beginning at 7 p.m. at College of New Caledonia in Room 1-306, the event allows for both candidates and voters to express their views on the night's topic.
On Oct. 8, The Citizen is teaming up with CKPG, the Prince George Chamber of Commerce and the University of Northern B.C. for a Prince George-Peace River-Northern Rockies and Cariboo-Prince George debate beginning at 7 p.m. in UNBC's Canfor Theatre.
Moderated by UNBC political science professor and Citizen columnist Tracy Summerville.
Each riding will take from 50-60 minutes with a 15-minute break for coffee and snacks, sponsored by the B.C. Northern Real Estate Board.
By randomly selected draw, candidates will receive a question from one of six topics. They will then have one minute to answer without interruption before the floor is opened to the group to discuss and debate. There will be no questions from the audience.
The Prince George Native Friendship Centre is hosting its own all-candidates' forum on Oct. 13.
"We feel that hosting this forum at a venue that is familiar to this target group will encourage Aboriginal people, and others, to come out and meet the candidates and ask questions about issues that are important to them," the centre said in press release.
Voters and candidates are invited to express their views and exchange ideas beginning at 7 p.m. in the centre's Power of Friendship Hall.
Cariboo-Prince George candidates will debate agricultural issues in Hixon on Oct. 14.
"If you want a good economy, you'd better have something so they can feed people," said event organizer Brock McElroy on the evening's topic, which he said has thus far been ignored by candidates.
The debate begins at 7 p.m. at the Hixon community hall.
Voting info
On Thursday, Elections Canada staff will be available at the Bob Harkins branch of the library between 2 and 6 p.m. to answer questions about voting and - for those with proper identification on hand - help people register to vote.
A special ballot voting office will be set up in the Prince George Native Friendship Centre from Oct. 5 to Oct. 8.
Between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and
4:30 p.m., Elections Canada staff will be on hand to administer special ballots, which allow residents to vote early.
Advance voting by special ballot is currently available at local Elections Canada offices, located at 2005 Redwood St. (Cariboo-Prince George) and 556 North Nechako Rd., Suite 2 (Prince George-Peace River-Northern Rockies).
