Local residents will have several opportunities next week to learn about the provincial election and key issues at upcoming all-candidates forums.
There will be two forums in Osoyoos April 30, one dealing with seniors’ issues at 1 p.m. and the other dealing with general issues at 7 p.m.
The seniors’ forum runs from 1 to 2:30 p.m. at Osoyoos Seniors Centre at 17 Park Place.
Although the candidates will be discussing seniors’ issues, anyone may attend.
Organizers are in the process of securing a moderator for the seniors’ forum to ensure the event runs smoothly and on time.
The evening forum runs from 7 to around 9 p.m. at the Sonora Community Centre.
This is followed by a similar evening forum May 1 at 7 p.m. in Oliver at the Elks Hall.
The seniors’ forum is sponsored by Osoyoos Better at Home, the Wine Country Retired Teachers Association and the Osoyoos Times. All candidates have confirmed attendance.
The evening forums in Osoyoos and Oliver are sponsored by the South Okanagan Realtors, B.C. Fruit Growers Association, B.C. Nurses’ Union and South Okanagan Similkameen Teachers’ Union.
Organizer Stefan Cieslik of the teachers’ union said all the candidates have confirmed for both the Osoyoos and Oliver evening forums.
Candidates for the Boundary-Similkameen riding include Sam Hancheroff (NDP), John Kwasnica (Green), Linda Larson (Liberal), Doug Pederson (independent) and Mischa Popoff (Conservative).
Cieslik said the evening forums will follow the same format as in previous elections.
After an introduction from moderator Tina Begg, candidates will be given two minutes each to introduce themselves at the podium.
At about 7:30 p.m., the moderator will open the floor for audience questions, which can be asked of any of the candidates.
Candidates have 90  seconds to respond. Questions must be short and follow-up questions are not allowed.
Around 8:45 p.m. candidates will be allowed to make closing statements to wrap up the evening.
Cieslik, who has organized forums in previous elections and sometimes been moderator, acknowledges that often turnout at forums is low and people come with their minds already made up.
He hopes these forums will be different as a result of advertising and promoting them through social media.
“I think people would come out if they knew it was happening and was important,” he said. “Hopefully we’ll get a good turnout.
“It would be wonderful if instead of getting the faithful 50 we would have the interested 200. I’d really like that.”
Other all-candidates forums are planned in Keremeos and Grand Forks in the next week or so.
Millions of B.C. eligible voters will cast their ballots on May 14 in the provincial election.