Coaldale Chamber of Commerce hosts municipal election forum

Posted on October 2, 2025 by Sunny South News

By Kristine Jean
Sunny South News

Coaldale residents, businesses, and members of the community will have a chance to hear directly from local candidates, during a municipal election forum early next month.   

The Coaldale Chamber of Commerce is hosting an all-candidates forum for the upcoming 2025 municipal election.  

The forum will take place Oct. 7, and will start at 7 p.m. in the Civic Square Atrium. Leading the discussion and question and answer period will be moderators Wayne Street and Duncan Lloyd.

In this year’s election, there are a total of 11 candidates seeking a seat in the Town of Coaldale —nine running for councillor and two running for mayor. Candidates for mayor are Jack Van Rijn and Henry Doeve, while those running for council include Jacen Abrey, Jason Beekman, Eric Berns, Bill Chapman, Brent Ginther, Dale Pickering, Lisa Reis, Jordan Sailer, and Gary Scherer.

Robert Woolf, President of the Coaldale Chamber of Commerce, urges residents to reflect on the past four years as they prepare to engage in the democratic process. 

“While the AUPE lockout has been a hot-button topic in our town, it’s equally important for residents to consider what’s worked well, what could be improved, and what matters most for Coaldale’s future,” said Woolf. “This forum offers a unique opportunity for the community to connect directly with candidates and gain insight into their vision for moving Coaldale forward.”

The Coaldale Chamber of Commerce has a long history of supporting local businesses and fostering civic engagement, and Woolf noted how the chamber advocates for businesses and the business community at all levels of government.   

“The decisions that a municipal government makes, can impact businesses directly,” said Woolf, emphasizing the importance of hosting these forums. 

“As a neutral organization representing the business community, the Chamber is uniquely positioned to bring residents and candidates together. Our goal is to ensure a transparent, informative, and open discussion that benefits everyone in Coaldale.”

The forum provides residents the opportunity to hear directly from those seeking to lead the community and Coaldale citizens will have an opportunity to ask questions, which they can submit for mayoral or councillor candidates in advance by emailing info@coaldalechamber.com. Written questions may also be submitted during the event, which will provide a way for the community to help guide the conversation and ensure candidates address the issues that matter most to Coaldale residents.

Advance voting for the municipal election will take place at the Coaldale Community Centre from 2 p.m. – 8 p.m. on the following dates:

• Thursday, October 9

• Saturday, October 11

• Tuesday, October 14

• Saturday, October 18

Election Day will take place on Monday, October 20. Residents can cast their vote at the Coaldale Community Centre between 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.