KW Chamber of Commerce election debates see packed crowds

While there are plenty of question marks surrounding the federal election campaign, one thing is clear: Waterloo Region is as engaged as ever.

The turnout was strong all week at the debates hosted by the Greater Kitchener-Waterloo Chamber of Commerce. They ran out of chairs for the audience at the Kitchener Centre debate, and Waterloo’s debate was completely full — so full, in fact, that the Chamber’s CEO, Ian McLean, was turned away at the door.

“The result of [Waterloo’s debate going] past capacity speaks volumes,” says McLean. “People vote with their feet, and when they put bums in seats, I think we can safely say it was a success.”

There were four public debates in total, hosted in partnership with 570 News: Kitchener-Conestoga, Kitchener-South Hespeler, Kitchener Centre, and Waterloo.

McLean says the Chamber of Commerce takes its role seriously of being an active voice of public policy for the Region:

“It’s important for everyone to be educated about the choices that are before them and what the implications are, for not only themselves, [but] for the Region and the country as a whole, depending on who the new government’s going to be.”

“I think it’s a high, noble calling,” he adds, “and anyone that makes the effort and takes the time to put their name forward — and actually takes the risk of putting their name forward — deserves an opportunity to share with their voters and possible constituents what they’re running for, what they believe in, and what they have to offer to the community.”

Find all the webcasts of the debates here.

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