The debates will come later on in the provincial election campaign.
So don't expect any fireworks this Saturday night when the candidates for the two Prince George ridings gather at a downtown restaurant for a meet-and-greet dinner.
The dinner at Hummus Brothers Tapas Bar (1230 Fourth Ave.) is an annual event organized by the UNBC Political Science Student Association and association president Kelley Ware said the timing this year could not be better, with the election writ being dropped this Tuesday.
"The idea is to give students and members of the community a chance to meet some of their local politicians and candidates and ask them a bit about what they do and about some of their platform stuff at a semiformal, casual dinner," said Ware.
"We are fortunate this year because it is in the middle of an election season. There does seem to be a lot of interest around the university. We have very varied politics up there, there are some very Conservative people and some avid NDPers.
"One thing that really is going around are the two groups -- Students for a Green University, who are not promoting a specific party but are just saying to vote with the environment in mind, and there's a group who wants people to vote for the party that supports education the best."
Both Prince George-Valemount candidates -- incumbent Shirley Bond (Liberal) and her NDP challenger Sherry Ogasawara have confirmed they are coming, as did Prince George-Mackenzie candidates Mike Morris (Liberal), Bobby (Sarbjit) Deepak (NDP), and Terry Rysz (Conservative). As of the weekend, Prince George-Mackenzie Green Party candidate Karen McDowellhad yet to confirm her attendance at the dinner.
The event is also open to local politicians. Prince George Mayor Shari Green and city councillors Dave Wilbur, Lyn Hall, Cameron Stolz, Albert Koehler, Murry Krause, and Brian Skakun have also said they will show up.
Students from out of town are eligible to vote in the Prince George ridings provided they have lived in the electoral boundary at least 30 days before they register to vote. Ware is hoping students will realize their vote does count and they will get involved in the election.
"Students do spend a lot of time in these ridings," said Ware. "Especially when it comes to city council, these are their councillors and they do make a lot of decisions for them."
Based on her experiences at previous dinners the UNBC club has organized, Ware doesn't expect the conversations Saturday to get bogged down in political debate.
"It doesn't get too crazy but I do remember two years during the federal election there were some pretty intense hand motions going on with some heated discussion and a wine glass got knocked over but that's as intense as it gets," Ware said.
Ware knows the Prince George votes in provincial elections have traditionally not been close and there's usually not much doubt before the outcome is declared. She's not putting much faith in the polls that have the NDP decidedly ahead of the Liberals as the odds-on favourite to form the next government.
"It's really tricky to say, our riding typically leans in one direction," Ware said. "I wouldn't read too much into polls because sometimes opinion changes fast. It's too early to tell."
Tickets are $20 each, available at the UNBC bookstore. Ware said people interested in attending should contact her through email at [email protected] before Wednesday so the restaurant knows how much to food to prepare.
