Quinte West residents came out in droves to attend a mayoral candidate’s debate at the Heroes Landing Banquet Hall in Quinte West.
The event started with each of the candidates for city council being given two minutes to speak. After the candidates for council had spoken, the mayoral candidates took to the stage to answer questions first from the chamber of commerce who were hosting the event, and then from the audience.
Each mayoral candidate was given three minutes to answer, before they had to pass the microphone to the next candidate in line. The participating mayoral candidates were Claudor du-Lude, Incumbent Mayor Jim Harrison, and Karen Sharpe.
A diverse set of issues was brought up for discussion, from housing to healthcare.
First, the candidates were asked what their focus would be if they were elected mayor.
Harrison said his focus would be on healthcare and expanding the doctor recruitment initiative.
Sharpe said her focus would be on fiscal responsibility, and better managing the city’s budget.
Du-Lude says his focus is on the ward system, saying the city should have 12 wards with one councillor each.
Candidates were also asked how they would handle housing shortfalls in the community.
Harrison said he planned to expand projects for affordable housing and seek funding from the provincial and federal governments to do it.
Sharpe said she would work with the new council to develop a housing plan to address any shortfalls.
Du-Lude said he would seek assistance from and cooperate closely with provincial and federal governments to solve the problem.
The last question of the night was about how candidates would solve homelessness and drug problems in the city, though candidates were only given one minute to respond to this question as the event was drawing to a close.
Harrison said he wants to construct a shelter and housing for the homeless.
Sharpe said she wanted to build partnerships with community groups aiding the homeless.
Du-Lude denied there was a drug problem in the city, and said the homeless were being bused in from other communities.
After the mayoral candidate’s debate, both the mayoral candidates and the candidates for city council went to tables set up around the hall to take questions one on one from citizens.
The election will be held on October 24.
