All-candidate debate set for Thornhill riding

Presented by Bnai Brith Sept. 30.

Yorkregion.com
Sept. 24, 2015
By Simone Joseph

B’nai Brith Canada is hosting an all-candidates debate in the Thornhill riding Wednesday, Sept. 30.

The debate will include the following Thornhill candidates: Conservative incumbent Peter Kent, Liberal candidate Nancy Coldham and NDP candidate Lorne Cherry, who will debate the issues. If they become aware of a Green Party candidate, he or she will be invited, too, a B’nai Brith representative said.

B’nai Brith is a Jewish advocacy and community volunteer service organization. It has also orchestrated all-candidate debates in Montreal, Toronto and Winnipeg.

The Vaughan Chamber of Commerce is also working to organize a debate, but nothing has yet been finalized, said Brian Shifman, president and CEO of the Vaughan Chamber of Commerce.

“We are hopeful this goes forward. At this point, we are not sure,’’ Shifman said. “It is subject to candidates’ availability.”

He said all-candidates debates are important.

“It is valuable to the business community, to the overall community,” Shifman said. “It is important the chamber be involved in civic issues, especially if it is related to the business community. The business community has a strong voice on municipal, political and federal issues.”