Cochrane area residents will have an opportunity to hear all five candidate platforms at an upcoming fedeal election forum planned for October 1st from 7 to 9 in the evening.

Organizer, Chuck Collins shares they are just putting the final touches on the agenda and how the format will play out.

As of now, it is anticipated, constituents will hear from incumbent MP Blake Richards (Conservative), Nadine Wellwood (People's Party of Canada) Austin Mullins (Green Party), Anne Wilson (NDP), and Gwyneth Midgley (Liberal) on how they will represent our riding and country overall. "What has been thrown around so far is have each candidate throw in two questions that they would like the other parties to answer. If we only have a couple of hours that could take up a good part of the time, and then we would open it up to the people. That is the format we are looking at, but that could change."

Believing it is critical that Cochranites have an opportunity to hear from all the candidates, Collins decided to take the lead himself. "I was a bit taken aback that we didn't have any group standing up for Cochrane and saying we need to make this happen. I just thought this was very important and not let this go by, as I think it could give Cochrane a black mark."

Hearing murmurings of 'what's the point?!' from a variety of sources, Collins says he is hoping constituents exercise their right to vote. "One thing we have heard while out canvassing is how many people did not even know there was an election coming up or who is currently the MP. To me, that is so wrong; and then, unfortunately, they are often the people who complain the loudest afterward about the direction the country is going or what the government is doing."

Stephen Simms will emcee the forum at the Cochrane Alliance Church while Lindsay Seewalt will moderate.

Collins is still looking for a couple hundred more dollars in sponsorship to offset the costs and would welcome the support in which you can reach him at 403-472-6718.