(Unsplash photo)
It looks like Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke voters will be getting just a partial look at local candidates at this Wednesday’s provincial election all candidates meeting.
Keanan Stone, president of hosts Renfrew County Federation of Agriculture, reported Monday morning (Feb. 10) that NDP’s Marshall Buchanan and Oliver Jacob of the Liberal Party have confirmed attendance but Progressive Conservative candidate Billy Denault has declined the invitation. Organizers are still awaiting word from Green Party candidate Anna Dolan.
Something Stone she wants the community to know is that the meeting is open to everyone, not just those in the ag community.
She said these kinds of meetings are important.
The meetings also give the candidates a fair platform regardless, of their resources or party, to present their ideas to the public, said Stone.
Organizers have a unique format planned for the event.
In the first hour of the evening the audience will have had the chance to submit questions in writing, these will be reviewed and then provided to the moderator.
Stone explains the thinking behind the varied format of meeting questions.
And while the meeting is open to the public to discuss issues beyond agriculture, there is a definite thread in terms of what is top of mind for voters.
Stone also suspects the threat of U.S. tariffs and a possible trade war will be up for discussion.
RCFA is hosting the meeting on Wednesday, Feb. 12, in partnership with the Arnprior Regional Federation of Agriculture.
Doors open at 6:30 and the meeting gets underway at 7 p.m. at the Cobden Agricultural Hall. There will be light refreshments.
To learn more or submit a question, email renfrewofa@gmail.com .
(Written by Sherry Haaima)
