An all-candidates forum for Nanaimo Mayoral and City Councillor candidates is planned for the Vancouver Island Conference Centre at the end of the month, featuring both a trade show-style format partnered with a more traditional debate. (Image Credit: File photo/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Alex Rawnsley

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‘Be engaged and informed:’ Forums to showcase Nanaimo & Parksville election candidates

Sep 21, 2026 | 5:28 AM

NANAIMO — Voters are set to hear directly from candidates in this year’s municipal election on a multitude of key issues.

The Nanaimo and District Chamber of Commerce is hosting a Civic Engagement Forum at the Vancouver Island Conference Centre on Tuesday, Sept. 29, from 5 p.m to 7:30 p.m., with all 44 candidates for Mayor and Council in the City of Nanaimo invited to participate.

Chamber CEO Julie Sperber told NanaimoNewsNOW they’re splitting the debate portion of the evening into two phases, with a 30-minute Mayoral candidate debate followed by 60 minutes of rapid-fire questions for City Councillor candidates.

“Since we are a Chamber of Commerce, probably close to 40 per cent of the questions will be directed to the councillor candidates around business and economic development. But that allows another 60 per cent to be divided over the other community priorities, with health and wellness, public safety and of course, infrastructure, transportation, and education.”

The first hour of the event will be set up like a trade show, Sperber said, with candidates setting up tables in the main lobby area of the Conference Centre to engage directly with voters.

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'Be engaged and informed:' Forums to showcase Nanaimo & Parksville election candidates

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Pre-registration for the free event is required, with 400 seats available.

Sperber said as of Friday, Sept. 18, nearly 200 spaces were booked, and they’re looking at the potential for opening up standing room on the night of the event.

She added the goal is to help voters connect with candidates they feel share their values.

“The hope is to really just help the general public be engaged and informed in our civic engagement. Really trying to elevate the importance and the opportunity to have your voice be heard through going to the polls and voting. I think the best way to do that is to give folks the opportunity to hear from the candidates directly.”

Questions can be submitted in advance through the Chamber’s website, with Sperber saying she and others from the organization will merge similar inquiries to ensure a wide range of topics are covered.

The Parksville & District Chamber of Commerce is hosting a similar event on Saturday, Sept. 26, at the Jensen Centre from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Three Mayoral candidates and 10 contenders for a City Councillor position in the City of Parksville are expected.

“Join to hear directly from the candidates, learn about their platforms, and make your voice count,” a notice from the Chamber read.

Pre-registration is required through the Chamber’s website, with questions able to be submitted in advance.

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by Alex Rawnsley

‘Be engaged and informed:’ Forums to showcase Nanaimo & Parksville election candidates

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