As the provincial election nears, Valley residents will have the opportunity to hear each candidates opinions at the All Candidates Forum set for Thursday, April 27th at the David Thompson Secondary School theatre. Dean Midyette, chairman of the All Candidates Forum Committee, spoke to The Pioneer about the format of the event.

Eight questions will be asked and each candidate has two minutes for prepared statements. Once each candidate has spoken to the question, then a five minute open debate will take place. Speaking order will be rotated through the candidates, said Mr. Midyette.

The committee, made up of Ken Becker from Century 21, Richard Haworth of Richard Haworth Consulting, Mike Gray of Horsethief Pub, Dean Midyette of The Echo and Pioneer, Jim Neilsen (retired) and Peter Smith of Fairmont Hot Springs Resort, will review all the questions submitted to the committee and chose the eight questions that will discussed.

The committee encourages the public to submit questions to them via email [email protected] and the deadline for questions is Thursday, April 20th at 4 p.m.

The moderator of the forum will be Jim Neilsen Mr. Neilson was the moderator during the 2015 forum for the federal election.

All candidates have been asked by the committee to stay for 30 minutes after the forum to meet with members of the public who are in attendance. Doors will open at 6:15 p.m. on Thursda,y April 27th and the forum will get underway at 6:30 p.m..

The committee hopes for a respectful and informative evening, said Mr. Midyette.