A debate between candidates running in the Huntingdon riding will take place on September 20 at the community hall in Saint-Chrysostome (400 rang St-Antoine). The debate will offer local voters an opportunity to hear directly from candidates as they address some of the key issues that have emerged during the campaign so far, as well as specifically local topics of concern.
Organized by the Corporation de développement Communautaire du Haut-Saint-Laurent (CDC), in collaboration with the CDC des Jardins de Napierville, the Chambre de commerce et d’industrie Beauharnois-Valleyfield-Haut-Saint-Laurent, and the Union des producteurs agricoles, the debate will start in person at 7:30 p.m. with an option to participate virtually as well.
“It is important that the candidates are challenged on local issues that may be less present at the national level,” says Rémi Pelletier, the director of the CDC du Haut-Saint-Laurent, when asked about the significance of the local debate. The debate also represents an opportunity for area organizations to ensure candidates are made aware of local priorities and challenges. Pelletier says the idea behind bringing together several organizations to arrange a single debate revolved around making the best use of candidates’ time, given the pace of the campaign.
The debate will take place in the traditional format, where each candidate will receive three minutes to respond to each question. A total of seven questions will be asked on general themes, ranging from agriculture to housing, economic development, culture, the environment, education, and healthcare. Participating candidates include Carole Mallette of the Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ), Jean-Claude Poissant of the Québec Liberal Party (PLQ), Emmanuelle Perras of Québec Solidaire (QS), and François Gagnon of the Quebec Conservative Party. A set of questions submitted by different organizations and citizens was also sent to all the candidates, whose written responses will be made available during the debate. The questions have also been sent to candidates Nathan Leblanc of the Parti Québecois and José Bro of the Quebec Green Party.
“It is important to take the time to make an informed decision,” says Pelletier, who believes the upcoming debate will allow citizens in the Huntingdon riding to gain a better understanding of the different candidates and their positions on pressing issues across the riding. The doors will open in Saint-Chrysostome at 7 p.m. for those who would like to attend the debate in person. It is possible to register for the event online via the CDC du Haut-Saint-Laurent’s website at: www.cdchsl.org/debat-electoral/. A link to the online broadcast will be sent to those who have registered to watch the debate from home.
