Local debates for the three Windsor-Essex ridings in the upcoming provincial election have been announced.
The Windsor Essex Regional Chamber of Commerce and Windsor And District Labour Council are partnering for the event which will take place May 17th at the Ciociaro Club.
Labour Council President Brian Hogan says labour has a role to play in community discourse.
Windsor and District Labour Council President Brian Hogan, announcing debate partnership, April 13, 2018 (by AM800's Peter Langille)
"We have to have a voice, our members need a voice. We need strong levels of government at all three levels and they need to hear us. They need to hear the citizenry. We're pleased to co-sponsor and this is an opportunity with Windsor and Essex citizenry to participate more intimately with the provincial election"
Hogan says it's important the community gets to hear from the candidates.
"Hard hitting, softballs, whatever it's going to be. We want to have a broad enough stroke so the entire community, the ones that show up or the ones that watch on cable over the next several weeks will get a sense of, a good sense of where the candidates and the parties are going"
Chamber President Matt Marchand says the candidate will get some briefing about the debate content.
Windsor Essex Regional Chamber of Commerce President Matt Marchand, announcing election debates, April 13, 2018 (by AM800's Peter Langille)
"We're going to bring all the information in one and we'll bring for the question or the subject matter to the candidates. We're not going to give them the questions, but these are the key issues you might expect. Not that every question will be there, but we want to give them a broad sense as to what they can expect"
Marchand says the three major parties will be represented by candidates from all three area ridings at the debate.
He says the Green Party has not been invited because it does not currently hold any seats at Queens Park.