t's less than a month until federal voters cast their ballots — and only two weeks to go until the advance polls open.
And Tri-City residents have a few opportunities to hear the contenders talk about why they're running and their parties' platforms before the Oct. 19 vote.
PORT MOODY-COQUITLAM
In the riding of Port Moody-Coquitlam, incumbent MP Fin Donnelly (NDP) will square off against Tim Laidler (Conservative), Jessie Adcock (Liberal) and Marcus Madsen (Green) at all-candidates' debates on:
• Monday, Oct. 5, Inlet Theatre (city hall, 100 Newport Dr., Port Moody) at an event hosted by the Tri-Cities' Chamber of Commerce, 7 to 9 p.m.
• Thursday, Oct. 8 at Sir Frederick Banting middle school (820 Banting St., Coquitlam) at a meeting hosted by the Burquitlam community association, 7 to 9 p.m.
COQUITLAM-PORT COQUITLAM
Over in the riding of Coquitlam-Port Coquitlam, which is currently held by Tory MP James Moore, who is not seeking re-election, candidates Doug Horne (Conservative), Sara Norman (NDP), Ron McKinnon (Liberal) and Brad Nickason (Green) will speak on:
• Tuesday, Oct. 6 at the Evergreen Cultural Centre (1205 Pinetree Way, Coquitlam) for the Tri-Cities' Chamber of Commerce gathering, 7 to 9 p.m.
• Wednesday, Oct. 7 at the Westwood Plateau Golf and Country Club (3251 Plateau Blvd., Coquitlam) at a debate hosted by the Westwood Plateau community association, 7 to 9 p.m.
As well, Trinity United Church is hosting a candidates "meet and greet" on Oct. 7 from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. in the church hall, located at the corner of Prairie Avenue at Shaughnessy Street in PoCo. An organizer told The Tri-City News on Monday that all candidates except Horne have said they will attend.
VOTER CARDS
Tri-City residents should be receiving their federal voter information cards in the mail this or next week.
Unlike in provincial elections, federal rules call for voters to cast their ballots at an assigned site.
Voter info cards contain personalized polling details for voting on general election day Oct. 19 and the advance polling days: Oct. 9 to 12.
Elections Canada is asking voters to verify the cards; residents who haven't got one in the post by Oct. 1 or whose card shows the wrong address can go to elections.ca.
Meanwhile, voters requiring a special ballot can visit the Elections Canada office in their riding. Call 1-800-463-6868 for more information.
