HCA hosting Ward 5 all-candidates’ debate Oct. 12

CARP – The Huntley Community Association (HCA) will host the only confirmed all-candidates debate for Ward 5 council candidates on Wednesday, Oct. 12.

And they’ve booked a larger venue.

The HCA, the only West Carleton community association to host election debates over the last several years, will bring the candidates to the public in an all-candidates debate held at the Carp Agricultural Hall (3790 Carp Rd.) starting at 7 p.m.

“On behalf of the HCA let me thank you for stepping up as candidates for the position of Ward 5 councillor,” HCA board member Allan Joyner told the candidates when announcing the event. “It is a huge commitment and very much appreciated.” 

Joyner, who has moderate all of the HCA’s recent all candidates debates at all three levels of government, will again moderate the Ward 5 debate.

The HCA has traditionally hosted all candidates debates at the Carp Mess Hall, but this one will be held in the much larger Carp Agricultural Hall.

The event will feature Ward 5’s candidates for the 2022 municipal election which will be held on Monday, Oct. 24. There are seven candidates looking to fill the West Carleton-March council seat. Coun. Eli El-Chantiry, who has represented West Carleton-March for 19 years, is not seeking re-election. The list of seven candidates includes Sasha Duguay, Greg Patacairk, Clarke Kelly, Nagmani Sharma, Stephanie Maghnam, Ian Madill and Colin Driscoll.

All seven candidates recently participated in a Rogers TV debate, but this will be the first time for them to debate in front of a live audience. It may also be the only opportunity for residents to see the candidates debate. At this time, West Carleton Online is not aware of any other debates for Ward 5 candidates within West Carleton.