The WestShore Chamber of Commerce and the Church of the Advent in Colwood are hosting a federal election forum for Esquimalt-Juan de Fuca next Wednesday.
The all-candidates forum is scheduled to feature Conserative Troy DeSouza, Green Shaunna Salsman, Liberal Lilliam Szpak and New Democrat Randall Garrison.
University of Victoria political science professor Dennis Pilon will moderate the event and present resident questions submitted prior to the forum.
The Esquimalt-JDF riding is considered a swing riding for the Conservative party due to long-time Liberal MP Keith Martin declining to seek re-election.
The riding was one of the closest contests in the 2008 federal election, when Martin edged DeSouza by 68 votes. It’s expected the riding results will be closely monitored by national media on election night, May 2.
The Esquimalt-JDF riding encompasses Esquimalt, Colwood, View Royal, Langford, Highlands, Metchosin, Sooke and electoral areas to Port Renfrew and the western half of Saanich.
The forum is on April 20, 7 p.m., Church of the Advent, 510 Mount View Rd.
To submit a question to the candidates or a particular candidate, see the submission page at www.westshore.bc.ca or call the chamber at 250-478-1130.
A Esquimalt-JDF all-candidates forum is also scheduled for April 28, 7 p.m. at the Sooke community hall, 2037 Shields Rd.
editor@goldstreamgazette.com