Time to debate: Calgary mayoral candidate wants to go toe-to-toe on election issues

CALGARY (660 NEWS) — We’re still about six months away from the Calgary municipal election, but there are growing calls to consider a debate so candidates can discuss the issues frankly.

On Thursday, Ward 3 councillor and mayoral candidate Jyoti Gondek issued a tweet, looking for fellow councillor and mayoral candidate Jeromy Farkas to join her for a one-on-one discussion.

Jumping on @QR77Radio to chat with @RobBreakenridge at 12:45 pm. Going on 15 minutes after @JeromyYYC. Gives you two perspectives.

Know what I’d like better? The two of us, together, debating the issues facing the city.

Jeromy – you in? Name the time, place & topic. Let’s go.

— Jyoti Gondek (@JyotiGondek) April 15, 2021

Gondek told 660 NEWS that it doesn’t serve the voters well to do individual chats with the media.

“I think debate has devolved into this business of firing barbs at each other. What I would really like to do is be able to answer questions that the public is posing at the same time, and then people can compare and contrast the type of responses we’re giving and people can get their information in a one-stop manner instead of having to try to piece everything together from separate interviews,” she said.

That said, lots of consideration also needs to be given about how to carry out such a debate due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I think it’s possible that you could have both candidates in one facility safely distanced, and broadcast it. We could also be side-by-side on a screen remotely from our individual offices or homes.”

A spokesperson for mayoral candidate Brad Field also told 660 NEWS that he is open to having an open debate with candidates, and there’s an expectation there will be several public events where people are physically distanced and the discussion can be broadcast to a wide local audience.

660 NEWS also reached out to Farkas for comment on this story.

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The pandemic is having an effect on how to campaign, as Gondek is doing only virtual events at the moment but she hopes vaccinations can get to the point where in-person events are more realistic before Calgarians head to the polls on Oct. 18.

Gondek said her tweet has already resulted in some interest from potential hosts of a debate, and she said offers should be sent to all candidates in order to not exclude anyone.

However, there is another issue behind the scenes concerning the public image of one candidate in particular who has taken a lead role in local anti-mask protests and has a history of racism.

“I would have to say that there are some candidates in the mayors race that are openly racist, and I hope that hosts will be considering who they invite to debates,” Gondek said.

This also has Gondek looking at the overall mood of this campaign, with several issues coming to a head at the same time leading to concerns in some circles that we could see an even more divisive situation than before.

“This will not be a clean process. There will be ugliness that rears its head, and I would hope that most candidates would rise above it.”

For the full list of those who will be running for the city’s highest office, it can be viewed on the City of Calgary website.