The September 23rd Saanich by-election to fill the council seat left by late Counc. Vic Derman will be aided with not one, but two all-candidates forums.

Five of Saanich’s community associations (Quadra Cedar Hill, Camosun, Mt Tolmie, Gordon Head, and Cadboro Bay Community Associations) got together to host a forum on September 12 at St Aidan’s Church, and another forum, the details of which are still being ironed out, was the initiative of Saanich Council candidate Rebecca Mersereau.

The September 12 event format was laid out by the hosting group’s representative, John Schmuck in an email to the candidates on Aug 29th. The evening event will start with a meet and greet at 6:30 pm with the formal opening remarks beginning at 7pm. Each candidate will have 60-seconds for opening remarks, 60-seconds to answer a series of nine questions, and finally 90-seconds for closing remarks around the assigned topic of their vision for Saanich in the year 2027. The email stated that the intent of the format is to provide equal time to all 10 candidates.

Of the nine questions six will be created by the committee and three will be chosen from written questions the audience will submit upon their arrival at the forum. There will be no other opportunity provided for questions and answers from the audience.

University of Victoria School of Law Professor Dr. Deborah Curran will moderate the evening.

On September 14, a second all-candidates event will be hosted by Church of The Nazarene with at least seven out of the 10 candidates running. The event is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. with the debate running from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.