If you’ve been disappointed by the lack of community events and debates with the local election candidates, then this is the week for you! Several new events have been announced for this week, just in time for the early voting that starts next weekend. On Thursday, a slate of virtual Q&As will be held with the six ward candidates, and you will be able to tune in.

Co-sponsored by the Guelph-Wellington Coalition for Social Justice there will be conversations with the candidates running in all six wards on Thursday October 6 from 7 to 8:30 pm. The goal, according to a release from the Coalition, is to “meet your municipal candidates and learn about their vision for Guelph’s future.”

All you have to do is follow the Zoom link for the event for your ward:

Ward 1: https://tinyurl.com/4nfw4eez
Ward 2: https://tinyurl.com/4tfajasc
Ward 3: https://tinyurl.com/mwurcs7x
Ward 4: https://tinyurl.com/3cwmfns9
Ward 5: https://tinyurl.com/39wtdp65
Ward 6: https://tinyurl.com/hw7mcc68

If you’re interested in listening to the other Ward conversations, or if you should happen to be unavailable on Thursday night, you will be able to listen to all six of the conversations on the Breezy Breakfast Radio Hour podcast channel here.

In addition to the ward debates, Guelph Today is reporting that there will also be an additional mayoral debate on Tuesday October 11 at 7 pm, but this will be an in-person debate hosted at the Dublin Street United Church at 68 Suffolk Street West.

These events join previously scheduled events including the forums being organized by 10C Shared Space and their SDG Cities Office that start this week. The first forum will take place this 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, and you can register for the October 12 forum for free on Eventbrite here.

If you’re interested in hearing from the candidates right now, you can check out the Q&As conducted by the Guelph Chamber of Commerce here. and a debate with mayoral candidates and the Ward 5 candidates held recently at the Village by the Arboretum here.

Keep in mind the following important dates for voting:

• 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.