Meet your candidates in Port Hope, Cobourg

The Northumberland Central Chamber of Commerce hosted an innovative ‘speed campaigning’ with Cobourg candidates event on Wednesday. There are several more forums and meet-and-greets coming up. /Peter Dounoukos photo

By West Northumberland Independent staff

In under a month’s time, Northumberland communities will have chosen municipal leaders for the 2026-30 council term.

Several all-candidates debates have already taken place but just in case you haven’t caught one yet and are looking to hear from candidates, there are still a few in the works.

For the Municipality of Port Hope, the Port Hope and District Chamber of Commerce is all set to host three back-to-back business-focused question-and-answer sessions for candidates.

The Central Lakes Association of Realtors is helping with the sessions, which will see candidates split up into groupings next Monday through Wednesday.

This coming Monday, Oct. 5, mayoral candidates will be the focus at the Capitol Theatre. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. with a meet-and-greet in the lobby, said the chamber.

Then, at 7 p.m., the moderated question-and-answer session will get underway and last for about an hour. From 8 to 8:30 p.m. has been dedicated for “wrap-up” and another meet-and-greet time in the lobby, explained the chamber.

The doors will close at 8:30 p.m.

On Tuesday, Oct. 6, Ward 1 candidates will be at the Capitol Theatre for their question-and-answer session following the identical format.

For Ward 2 candidates, the location will change to Haute Garm Farm at 1166 5^th Line on Wednesday, Oct. 7, but again the format and times will remain the same.

Leading up the sessions, the chamber has been collecting questions for the candidates – on areas like the local business and economic climate, including economic development, supporting local businesses, growth, investment, infrastructure, taxation, and creating a strong environment for businesses to succeed, explained the chamber.

The next day – on Thursday, Oct. 8 – Blue Dot Northumberland has announced its plans to host a candidates’ public forum from 6:30 to 9 p.m. at the Lions Recreation Centre.

The organization said council candidates will be asked about their positions on critical local issues such as farmland protection, maintaining clean air and water, affordable housing, food security, and sustainable energy, including the impact of the proposed nuclear plant in Wesleyville.

“As major environmental, nuclear energy and food security issues confront Port Hope residents, the forum will help residents assess candidates’ positions on a variety of critically-important issues affecting the quality of life and cost of living in Port Hope,” said Blue Dot.

In Cobourg, the community-led Cobourg Debates group also has events in the works.

The group is starting with deputy mayor and councillor candidate debates on Oct. 14, which will be followed by mayoral candidates on Oct. 15, reads a recent release.

All the events are being held at the Lions Community Centre and will start at 7 p.m. but doors will open at 6 p.m. For these sessions, residents need tickets (which were previously going fast.)

However, Cogeco’s YourTV will be helping out with a livestream for the forums and will broadcast them again over the weekend, said Cobourg Debates’ organizers.

More information – including around tickets and questions for candidates – is available via cobourgdebates2026.ca or by emailing team@cobourgdebates2026.ca.

CFUW-Northumberland is also providing volunteer help, and the Debate Club at Port Hope’s Trinity College School is helping with procedures to ensure the debates are run with accuracy, timeliness and fairness for all candidates, reads a recent release.

Before this Oct. 15 event, Blue Dot Northumberland also has plans for a public forum for Cobourg candidates set for Monday, Oct. 5 from 6:30 to 9 p.m. This forum will be hosted at the Columbus Community Hall.

Similarly, the environmental group said candidates will be questioned on critical issues affecting quality and cost of living in Cobourg.

“As major environmental, energy, safety and affordability challenges confront Cobourg residents, this event is designed to help citizens assess where council candidates stand on pivotal local matters,” said the organization.

Blue Dot Northumberland said it will press candidates for their distinct positions on key areas within the organization’s mandate, including safety and livability issues including homelessness, affordable housing developments and sustainable energy initiatives, including the potential local impacts of the proposed Wesleyville nuclear plant.

“This forum comes at a critical time as our community faces pressing decisions regarding affordability, energy and long-term environmental sustainability” said Michael Perley CM, a spokesperson for Blue Dot Northumberland. “We encourage all Cobourg residents to attend, listen to the candidates and gain a clearer understanding of how future council decisions will impact our daily lives.”

And also coming up on Monday, Oct. 5, at Fenella Community Hall, the Alnwick/Haldimand Ratepayers’ Association will host an all-candidates meeting for councillor and school board candidates. The start time is 6 p.m.

Fenella Community Hall is located at 8071 County Rd. 45 in Roseneath.

Election day is Oct. 26.