New mix-and-mingle style election forums help public connect with candidates
The typical election forum can move pretty slowly, with up to 13 candidates in a panel, said one organizer who is trying to mix things up this time around.
The infill developers are putting on a forum. But instead of seating people in a panel and taking questions at a microphone, they’re throwing an open house, inviting all candidates and voters to a semistructured mix and mingle.
Voters can drop in and make a beeline right for the candidate they want to question.
“Everyone’s been at a forum before where everyone answers the same questions,” said Mariah Samji, executive director for the Infill Development in Edmonton Association. “We wanted to make sure everyone can get their questions answered.”
Incumbent mayoral candidate Don Iveson will be at the Sept. 28 event and 15 other candidates have already confirmed attendance, said Samji. They’ll be organized by quadrants of the city, with the mayoral candidates in the middle. Voters can go from table to table and drop into conversations.
The Sept. 28 event runs between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. at the Hyatt Place Hotel on Jasper Avenue and 95 Street. Free tickets are available at infilledmonton.com.
Edmonton Elections officials are still organizing traditional forums, but they’re including at least 20 minutes of free time to mingle and connect with candidates oneon-one. They’re also promoting forums organized by community leagues and other groups on their website edmonton.ca/election.
The city’s “where to vote” tool is also live. Elections director Iain MacLean is urging residents to check it out, especially since some neighbourhoods previously in Wards 12 and 9 (south boundary of Edmonton) have shifted this election to Wards 11 and 10.
The Local Good (thelocalgood. ca) is also breaking the mould with its Oct. 12 forum, with candidates gathering at Yellowhead Brewery.
“It allows for a better exchange of ideas,” said Tommy Kalita, a member who is planning to attend.
Participants can ask a question or just listen in, he said, with the crowd preventing any one person from monopolizing the discussion.
Alternatively, Public Interest Alberta has landed on the citizens forum, where candidates are invited but don’t get to sit on the panel.
Both candidates and members of the public can hear from the Edmonton Social Planning Council’s John Kolkman, Edmonton Public Teachers’ Heather Quinn or Black Lives Matter’s Bashir Mohamed, and five others.
They’ll talk about how public transit, poverty, the environment, racism and child care are at issue this election.
Edmonton’s mayoral race has 13 candidates. “Instead of trying to get 13 people to state what their position is on each issue, we decided to put a focus on the issue,” said Public Interest Alberta executive director Joel French.
Candidates will be able to register for a table and engage with voters after the program. They’re expecting between 50 and 100 members of the public to come out. It’s free and runs from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Sept. 25 at the Hellenic Community Centre, 10450 116 St.