Candidates for Mayor and Council in Parksville are due back on the stage at the Jensen Centre Thursday night for the second of two forums hosted by the Chamber of Commerce. (Image Credit: Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Alex Rawnsley

local vote

Second Parksville all-candidates forum focusing on local economic development

Oct 6, 2026 | 3:53 PM

PARKSVILLE — A focus on business and non-profit growth, as well as overall economic development is expected in an all-candidates forum this week.

After water supply concerns and taxes accounted for a vast majority of discussion during a Sept. 26 forum, the Parksville and District Chamber of Commerce will host its second event on Thursday, Oct. 8, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Parksville Community Centre.

Chamber executive director Omar Karim told NanaimoNewsNOW pre-selected and day-of questions will focus on economic-related subjects.

“We really thought it was very important to have a dedicated session for some of those questions that may not always be answered at the other forums. We had one really that was focused on the community, the city, and then one that’s also a little bit more focused on businesses and some of the nonprofit organizations.”

Overall, the evening is expected to follow a similar format to the first event.

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Some questions were already sent to candidates for them to prepare answers, while others will be asked without notice based on responses from those RSVP’ing to the event, or adding topics at the venue.

Karim said a new segment for this forum will see candidates handed cards to indicate ‘yes’, ‘no’, or ‘unsure’ responses to a series of rapid-fire questions on a range of topics.

“This is really an opportunity for us to have some understanding of where some of the candidates might sit on certain issues or topics that relate to businesses or members of the city,” Karim added.

Pre-registration to attend the forum is encouraged, with limited seating available at the venue.

Details on how to register are on the Chamber’s website.

The first event drew around 300 people to the Jensen Centre to hear from all the candidates running in the Oct. 17 vote, with questions on water capacity and increasing tax rates drawing the biggest responses from the candidates and audience.

— with files from Ian Holmes

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by Alex Rawnsley

Second Parksville all-candidates forum focusing on local economic development

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