Every candidate running for Ward 2 seats on Pickering city council and Durham Regional council faced voters at an all-candidates forum on Oct. 6, ahead of this month's municipal election.
The event was held at the Chestnut Hill Developments Recreation Complex, one night before the city's mayoral forum at the same venue.
Who was on stage
All certified candidates for both offices took part. Five people are seeking the Ward 2 city councillor seat: Stacey Lepine-Fisher, John Meloche, Mara Nagy, Sam Snyders and Vince Viapiana.
Three more are running for the Ward 2 regional councillor seat: Linda Cook, Bushra Rasool and Nancy Van Rooy.
According to Daily Durham, candidates fielded questions submitted by community members and discussed issues affecting Ward 2, the City of Pickering and Durham Region as a whole.
Full recording available
Residents who missed the forum can still hear the candidates in their own words. The complete recording, which runs about two hours and seven minutes, has been posted in full on YouTube.
The video was shared by John Meloche, one of the city councillor candidates. Daily Durham previously reported that Meloche has pledged to donate his first year's pay to local charities if he is elected.
What voters need to know
Election day in Pickering is Oct. 26. Online voting runs from Oct. 19 through Oct. 26, and paper ballots will be available on election day itself.
Ward boundaries have changed since the last election. Ward 2 residents are being urged to confirm which ward they now live in before they cast a ballot, since their address may have shifted into a different ward.
The forum recording gives voters a chance to compare the candidates' positions side by side before voting opens — particularly useful for anyone weighing the eight names on the Ward 2 ballot.
