Out of the gate today, there are four all-candidate meetings on the books in 91原创.

Following the writ being dropped today, interested people still have seven days to register as a candidate for the May 9 provincial election.

Thus far, nine people appear to have registered to run in the two primary 91原创 ridings, those being 91原创 and 91原创 East.

In 91原创, incumbent Liberal is seeking re-election, along with NDP candidate , Green Party candidate , BC Conservative candidate , and BC Libertarian hopeful .

In the 91原创 East riding, incumbent Liberal is seeking re-election, and running against him is NDP candidate, Green Party hopeful , and BC Libertarian candidate .

Only two of candidates thus far have set up campaign offices of which the newspaper has been made aware. Coleman鈥檚 office is at #10 - 8948 202nd St., and Polak鈥檚 is located at #100 - 20329 Logan Ave.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW

CAPTION: Gail Chaddock-Costello, NDP-91原创

CAPTION: Justin Greenwood, BC Conservative-91原创

CAPTION: Mary Polak, BC Liberal-91原创

CAPTION:Rich Coleman, BC Liberal-91原创 East

CAPTION: Inder Johal, NDP-91原创 East

Editor鈥檚 note: These photos appear alphabetically and by riding (91原创 and 91原创 East) and are the only candidates who have so far provided photos or whose photos could be accessed from the party websites.

Hearing from the candidates

Nevertheless, leading into the election, the 91原创 Advance will continue each week to highlight the top issues of the day.

Last week, for instance, we addressed the issue of health care in the community 鈥� with a focus on the lack of family GPs.

This week we will be tackling the issue of environment, and focusing on the pipeline.

As well, we will be giving each of the candidates a chance (through our print and online editions) to answer a series of these questions. Yes/No answers and a chance to expand on their top two questions will be provided in print, while all answers 鈥� in their entirety will be published online.

鈥淲e feel it is imperative to provide as much information as possible to our local voters, and we will strive to help educate the community about the local issues and the candidates in the coming weeks,鈥� said publisher Lisa Farquharson, alluding to last week鈥檚 editorial [].

Other forums

The first all-candidate meeting is set for next Wednesday, April 19, from 1 to 3 p.m. at St. Joseph鈥檚 Roman Catholic Church, focusing on seniors issues.

Following a standing-room-only all-candidates for the last municipal and federal elections, coordinator Marilyn Fischer is expecting a similar showing for this afternoon event.

It鈥檚 the first opportunity for 91原创 residents to meet and interact with the candidates who hope to represent 91原创 in Victoria.

Their session has been opened to candidates for the 91原创 and 91原创 East ridings.

鈥淲e especially invite seniors and those interested in seniors鈥� issues, and we are challenging the candidates to provide meaningful responses to questions about matters concerning them,鈥� Fischer said.

鈥淭his will be a meeting where seniors can talk individually with their riding candidates, rather than listen to canned speeches,鈥� she added.

鈥淲e understand that as the election campaign moves along we will hear from our candidates about many important issues pertaining to the wider community. However, plans are for the discussion at this meeting to focus primarily on issues concerning 91原创鈥檚 large population of seniors鈥� Fischer said.

Questions that will be posed to candidates will be related to affordable rental housing, HandyDART, health and home care, MSP premiums and benefits, pipelines, poverty reduction, isolation, and abuse, she concluded.

Doors for this all-candidate meeting open at the church (20676 Fraser Hwy.) at 12:15 p.m.

Later that same day, the 91原创 Teachers鈥� Association is hosting its all-candidates forum.

鈥淭he LTA has a long history of keeping our members well informed in regards to all the candidates running for provincial and municipal elections,鈥� said president Wendy Cook.

The event is being hosted Wednesday, April 19, from 7 to 9 p.m. at the 91原创 Seniors Resource Centre, 20605 51B Ave.

鈥淭his non-partisan public forum will be focused on educational, environmental, and other equity issues,鈥� she said, explaining that the meeting is being held in partnership with the 91原创 District Parent Advisory Council, Kwantlen Nation, Coalition of Child Care Advocates of B.C., the Kwantlen Student Association, PIPE-UP, and CUPE 1260.

Also coming up later in the month are two separate all-candidate meetings being planned by the Greater 91原创 Chamber of Commerce and held in cooperation with the Fraser Valley Real Estate Board.

President Scott Johnston described it as a 鈥渧aluable opportunity for 91原创 residents and business people to meet the candidates in their riding, prior to the provincial election on May 9.鈥�

The first chamber forum is specific to the 91原创 riding on Tuesday, April 25, from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Kwantlen Polytechnic University, 20901 91原创 Bypass.

The second is specific to the 91原创 East riding, and it is being held Thursday, April 27, from 7 to 9 p.m. at the 91原创 Events Centre west gymnasium, 7888 200th St.

鈥淵our vote is your voice!鈥� Johnston said.

鈥淎s a non-partisan organization, the Greater 91原创 Chamber of Commerce is honoured to host the Provincial All Candidates Meetings for the ridings of both 91原创 and 91原创 East. These events are free for the public to attend and offer an opportunity to our members and all voters to meet the candidates, and to become attuned to their platforms.鈥�

In both these forums, candidates will be given an opportunity to introduce themselves, followed by questions by written submission.

Written questions for the candidates can be submitted in advance or at the meeting (no verbal questions accepted). Questions can be written on a form provided at the all candidates meeting, or to submit question ahead of time.