Cumberland candidates face off in French debate

Municipal candidates inCumberland ward squared off Tuesday evening in a French-language debate aimed at making sure everyone gets to hear candidates weigh in.

Mouvement d'implication francophone d'Orlans (MIFO) hosted the debate for about 15 peopleat the Centre culturel d'Orlans as part of a series of French-language debates happening this week.

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The group's director general Marie-Claude Doucet said it wants residents to be able to hear from candidates in the language they speak.

"It's important because there are a lot of events during the election campaign, but there are not a lot in French," she said.

"It is a privileged moment that they have with the candidate to ask their questions in French."

Transit, accessibility goals

Stephen Blais, the incumbent in Cumberland, said he believes residents are looking for solutions to make it easier to get around.

"Commute times, whether by bus or by car, are always a big issue in Orlansand in Cumberland," he said.

"We need to make sure we get [eastern] light rail built by 2022."

Blais said his time as a school trustee and his eight years on council have given him experience, and combined with his history in the community, makes him the right choice.

"I know the things that people care about, because I have lived in the community my entire life," he said.

Cameron Rose Jette was promising a different perspective to voters.

Jette said accessibility is a major issue, because there isn't enough housing for people with disabilities.

"I don't currently live in my riding, because the house I grew up in for 20 years is inaccessible," Jette said.

"I was just unable to live there, because there were no options for accessible living."

The ward's other candidate Jensen Boiredid not attend Tuesday's debate.

MIFOis hosting two other debates inInnesward on Wednesday night and inOrlansward on Thursday evening.

Election day is Oct. 22.