91原创 and Aldergrove residents will have multiple chances to see their candidates for the provincial Legislature speak on major issues this elections season.
Several groups have organized all-candidates meetings and election forums across the three local ridings 鈥� 91原创-Abbotsford, 91原创-Walnut Grove, and 91原创-Willowbrook.
The number of debates has expanded from previous years. For decades, 91原创 has seen two MLAs elected, often with one shared with Surrey. Over the past decade, it has been divided into the 91原创 riding, which covered Willowbrook, 91原创 City, Brookswood, and the Fernridge area, and the 91原创 East riding, which covered most of the rest of the community.
Now there are three ridings. 91原创-Walnut Grove includes Willoughby north of 72 Ave, Walnut Grove, and Fort 91原创. 91原创-Willowbrook includes Willoughby south of 72 Avenue, 91原创 City, and Brookswood. 91原创-Abbotsford includes Murrayville and Aldergrove, rural southern and eastern 91原创, and extends to Bradner Road in Abbotsford.
The change was driven by the massive population growth in 91原创 since the last time riding boundaries were re-drawn.
The current organized debates are:
鈥� The Bertrand Creek Enhancement Society and Aldergrove Community Association will host an all-candidates meeting for the 91原创-Abbotsford riding at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 25, at the 91原创 Arts Council building at 26770 29 Ave. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. For more information, contact stewardship@leps.bc.ca.
鈥� The meetings planned by the Greater 91原创 Chamber of Commerce, including a forum for the 91原创-Willowbrook and 91原创-Walnut Grove ridings will go at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 26 at the Kwantlen Polytechnic University 91原创 campus.
The forum for the 91原创-Abbotsford riding, also at 6 p.m., will be Wednesday, Oct. 2, at the Aldergrove Heritage Hall at 3015 273 Street.
鈥� 91原创 Seniors in Action is hosting all-candidates meetings from 2-4 p.m. on Oct. 4 for 91原创-Willowbrook at 91原创 Seniors Resource Centre, Oct. 7 for 91原创 Walnut Grove at West 91原创 Hall, and Oct. 9 for 91原创-Abbotsford at 91原创 Arts Council building in Aldergrove, at 26770 29 Ave.
鈥� UPDATED: This event has been cancelled due to low participation from candidates, and the organizers are attempting to reschedule. The TWU Environmental Club and the Climate Crisis 91原创 Action Partners have an all-candidates forum on Wednesday, Oct. 2 at the DeVries Auditorium at TWU. It runs from 6:30 to 9 p.m. and is for the 91原创-Walnut Grove riding candidates.
鈥� The 91原创 Teachers Association is planning a debate for Monday, Oct. 7 at the Chief Sepass Theatre in the 91原创 Fine Arts School starting at 7 p.m.
All the meetings are open to members of the public.
B.C. Conservative candidates from all three local ridings have confirmed they will not be attending any public debates, but local NDP, Green, Libertarian, and independent candidates have all confirmed they will attend some or all of the events.
Candidate nominations close on Sept. 28, and online and telephone voter registration closes at midnight on Oct. 7.
Advance voting takes place Oct. 10-13 and 15-16.
Election day is Oct. 19.
