WINNIPEG — They took questions from a panel of journalists, the public and each other.
After dozens of forums over the last several months, Thursday night’s mayoral debate, the only one to be televised in this Winnipeg election campaign, was both lively and intense.
Judy Wasylycia-Leis is currently leading in the polls, and while her policies were often under attack, the most serious moment came when Gord Steeves was asked what he would do on the issue of missing and murdered aboriginal women. When he responded it “has more to do with poverty than anything else,” Brian Bowman accused Steeves of avoiding other forums where the aboriginal community was involved.
“I think what Gord Steeves should have said right now is that I’m sorry I’ve treated aboriginal women with such disrespect,” said Bowman.
Taxes, infrastructure, transit and integrity at city hall were all on the agenda in the two-hour debate moderated by Global’s Peter Chura and broadcast on Shaw TV.
POLL: Which Winnipeg mayoral candidate won the election debate?
Several dozen people and supporters also came to watch, often laughing at the exchanges between the panel and the candidates and between mayoral hopefuls.
When Judy Wasylycia-Leis accused Steeves of “fear mongering” through billboards that said she was introducing a 12 per cent tax hike, Steeves replied, “Well I’m not an actuary … but I took the three per cent per year and multiplied it by four.”
Those unable to watch the forum live will be able to see it on ShawTV at the following times:
- Oct. 10, 11 p.m.-1:30 a.m. (following the WHL game)
- Oct. 11, 2-4:30 p.m.
- Oct. 13, 8-10:30 p.m.
- Oct. 16, 5-7:30 p.m.
- Oct. 19, 8-10:30 a.m.
- Oct. 21, 10 p.m.-12:30 a.m.
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