The lack of live – in-person or otherwise – candidate debates, Q&As or forums in this municipal campaign has been a subject of local conversation. Well someone might have heard the complaints because there’s now a pair of forums for the local council candidates running in all six of Guelph’s wards over two weeks early next month. Sign up now for what might be the hottest tickets in town.

The forums are being organized by 10C Shared Space and their SDG Cities Office. They organized a similar event back during the Provincial Election where candidates were asked questions around the U.N. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The goals cover 17 areas including the elimination of poverty and social inequality, the expansion of environmental protection and sustainability initiatives, and improving health and education.

The first forum will take place on Wednesday October 5 from 4-6 pm and will feature candidates running in Wards 1, 2, and 3. The second forum will take place exactly one week later on Wednesday October 12 from 4-6 pm and will feature candidates from Wards 4, 5 and 6.

You can register for the October 5 forum for free on Eventbrite here.

You can register for the October 12 forum for free on Eventbrite here.

10C is asking anyone attending either of these forums, in the spirit of community care, to wear a mask and to keep in mind that 10C is a scent-free environment.

If you want to hear from local council and mayoral candidates, but don’t want to leave the comfort of your home, the Guelph Chamber of Commerce will be posting the question-and-answer sessions they hosted with the candidates running in all six wards, and the ones running to be the next mayor on their YouTube channel on Tuesday September 27. The Q&As have been recorded over the last several weeks, and all seven of them will be released online on Tuesday.

With one week left in September, it’s important to note some major important voting dates coming up:

• You have until October 14 to register to vote by mail using our online request form, or request a home vote appointment. That’s also the last day you can use the City’s online voter registration tool to see if you are on the voters’ list, add yourself or update your information.
• Advanced voting begins on Saturday October 8 at 10 am at City Hall. Advanced polls continue through Monday October 10, and then re-open again on Friday October 14 at 10 am. The last day to vote before Election Day is Sunday October 16 at 6 pm.
• October 21 at 4 pm is the deadline to have all mail-in ballots returned.
• Election Day is Monday October 24 from 10 am to 8 pm, and if you’re eligible to vote, you can vote at any polling location in the city.

All voter and voting information can be found on the City’s website here.