Windsor-Essex's MPP candidates will soon have a chance to debate the issues.
The Windsor-Essex Regional Chamber of Commerce announced Friday that they will once again co-sponsor a televised election debate, to be held on May 17 at the Ciociaro Club.
The chamber is teaming up this time with the Windsor and District Labour Council in an effort to expand labour's cooperation with business in putting on the debate.
Matt Marchand, president of the chamber, says this partnership is vital.
"The business community and the labour community have successfully partnered on a number of issues in the past," says Marchand. "These include the auto strategy to drive high-paying middle-class manufacturing jobs here, our policy and solutions forum, single sports betting; provincial, federal and municipal debates; steel dumping and fair trade."
This debate will be the first one held in partnership with the WDLC. President Brian Hogan says one issue will be front-and-centre at the debate.
"Matt and I have spoken about the importance of fair trade," says Hogan. "Trade concerns need to be called out because they affect the entire community, Matt's members, our members, all of us."
Journalist Craig Pearson will moderate the debate, which will feature candidates from the Windsor West, Windsor-Tecumseh, and Essex ridings. The Ontario Liberals, Progressive Conservatives, and New Democratic Party will have their candidates participate.
Each riding will be allotted 30 minutes.
Marchand says he is counting on the community to help suggest questions to be asked during the debate. He and Hogan plan to gather the input of both their memberships as well as the media to find the more pressing local issues for the candidates to discuss
The debate begins May 17 at 11:30am. It will be televised live on local cable.
