Candidates in the June 7 general election for the riding of Don Valley West have been invited to an all-candidates debate on May 23 in the Lea Room at Leaside Arena. Don Valley West is the long-time seat of Premier Kathleen Wynne. She is challenged this year by Progressive Conservative candidate Jon W. Kieran. All parties have been invited, including the NDP, Green Party and Libertarian Party. The latter two are shown in the Internet to be represented by Morgan Bailey and John Kittridge respectively. The NDP Ontario slate online does not yet show a candidate in Don Valley West. The doors open at 7 p.m. and the debate is set to begin at 7.30 p.m. This debate is sponsored by the Leaside Property Owners Association. A release issued Sunday does not speak of a format for this debate.
MODERATOR BRIAN ATHEY
The moderator will be Brian Athey, past president of the LPOA. Each candidate will give a three-minute opening statement after which attendees ask questions directed to one or more candidate. Each candidate has the opportunity to make a one-minute response to any question. The Q&A session lasts approximately 75 minutes, after which each candidate makes a closing statement (in reverse order from the opening statements).Candidates’ order of speaking is decided by their drawing a number from a hat just before the meeting begins, and, as noted above, the speaking order will reverse for closing statements. Questions will be provided by the attendees only and in writing so that Mr. Athey can sort or combine them to avoid repetition. There will be index cards — and pencils, as needed —- for people as they enter the Lea Room.
