While election season is already underway in Whistler, the true test for political hopefuls begins this week with the first of three all-candidates meetings planned ahead of voting day on Oct. 15.
On Wednesday, Sept. 21, the Whistler Off Road Cycling Association (WORCA) is hosting a "Meet the Candidates" night in the multipurpose room at Whistler Secondary School from 7 to 9 p.m. Kicking things off will be a welcome address from WORCA president Dale Mikkelsen, followed by candidates' "elevator pitches," giving them one minute to introduce themselves and their platform. That will be followed by roundtable meetings with each candidate, held in a "speed dating" format in which candidates will rotate every five minutes to meet and chat with a new table of locals.
The event is free and open to anyone, not just WORCA members.
Two days later, on Friday, Sept. 23, the Whistler Racket Club will host a candidates' open house onsite from 6 to 8 p.m. This informal, courtside meet-and-greet is open to the public, and will be held alongside the club's regular Friday night pickleball and tennis play. Both candidates and the community are invited to play. The pickleball mixer runs from 5 to 7 p.m., and the tennis mixer is from 7 to 8 p.m.
To register for the mixers, visit mywrc.ca or call the club at 604-932-1991.
On Wednesday, Sept. 28, Pique joins Arts Whistler and the Whistler Chamber of Commerce in hosting an all-candidates meeting at the Maury Young Arts Centre, from 6 to 9 p.m. Candidates will have an opportunity to address the audience and answer questions from the host organizations as well as community members.
The event is free, but registration is required. Register here.
There is also an option to attend virtually, which can be registered for at the above link. A link to the livestream will be sent prior to the event, and virtual attendees will have the chance to ask questions remotely on the day of via Slido.
Campaign season culminates on Wednesday, Oct. 5 with the Association of Whistler Area Residents for the Environment (AWARE) and the Whistler Community Services Society co-hosting their own all-candidates meeting, focused on "Conversation, Climate and Community Wellbeing." Held at the Maury Young Arts Centre from 6 to 8:30 p.m., the meeting will give candidates time to answer questions from the host organizations and members of the public. Doors open at 5:30 p.m.
The event is free to attend, but space is limited, so arrive early to secure a seat.
For those unable to attend in-person, the meeting can be viewed online by registering here. Registrations close at noon on Oct. 5. A link to access the livestream will be sent out prior to the event. Virtual attendees will once again have the chance to pose questions to the candidates remotely via Slido.
There are 15 hopefuls vying for one of six spots on Whistler's council, along with three candidates for mayor. There are also three candidates bidding for one school trustee position.
View a list of all the local candidates at whistler.ca/municipal-gov/elections/candidates/candidate-bios, and read more local election coverage here.
This story has been updated since publication to include details of the Whistler Racket Club's candidate open house.
