The city of Port Coquitlam will kick off a string of all-candidates' debates in the lead up to the federal election.
But the Sept. 29 gathering will only focus on issues facing the municipality.
Attendees will hear from contenders in the new riding of Coquitlam-Port Coquitlam: Doug Horne (Conservative), Sara Norman (NDP), Ron McKinnon (Liberal) and Brad Nickason (Green).
The event will be held at the Terry Fox Theatre (1260 Riverwood Gate, Port Coquitlam) at 7 p.m. and will be moderated by Kevin Lim, co-host of Peak morning show on 102.7FM and a Port Coquitlam resident.
Meanwhile, the Tri-Cities' Chamber of Commerce and the Burquitlam Community Association are hosting all-candidates' meetings next month to give contenders — and voters — a chance to speak in a public forum before Oct. 19.
Residents in the new electoral district of Port Moody-Coquitlam can hear their contestants on Monday, Oct. 5 at the Inlet Theatre in Port Moody city hall (100 Newport Dr.) and on Thursday, Oct. 8 at Sir Frederick Banting middle school (820 Banting St., Coquitlam).
And in the new riding of Coquitlam-Port Coquitlam, the Chamber will have a gathering on Tuesday, Oct. 6 at the Evergreen Cultural Centre (1205 Pinetree Way, Coquitlam).
All meetings are from 7 to 9 p.m.
WHAT'S MY RIDING?
For this election, the Tri-City boundaries are redistributed.
The current Port Moody-Westwood-Port Coquitlam riding — held by Conservative MP James Moore — will become Coquitlam-Port Coquitlam. And the existing New Westminster-Coquitlam electoral district — held by NDP MP Fin Donnelly — will transform into Port Moody-Coquitlam.
To see where your home is under the new alignments, visit elections.ca and punch in your postal code.
VOTE VERIFICATION
Are you registered to vote in next month's federal election? Take a couple of minutes to check online via the Elections Canada website: elections.ca.
ADVANCE VOTING
If you can't vote on election day Oct. 19, you can cast your ballot early. There are four opportunities on:
• Friday, Oct. 9
• Saturday, Oct. 10
• Sunday, Oct. 11
• Monday, Oct. 12
You'll need to show proof of identity and address (a driver's licence or other government card with your photo, name and current address) OR two pieces of ID — one of which must have your current address (health card, passport, personal cheque, etc.).
If your ID doesn't have a current address, you must take an oath and show two pieces of ID with your name and have someone attest to your address.
You need to be at least 18 to vote in a federal election.
POLL YOURSELF
Tri-City residents can poll themselves on who they plan to vote for in next month's election.
The new VoteVancouver online platform also has a forum where users can talk about election issues as well as the parties and candidates. Visit votevancouver.org.
