Whitehorse voters speed-date municipal and federal candidates

Under dim lights and over a few glasses of wine, voters in Whitehorse got up close and personal with municipal and federal candidates at an unconventional pre-election event Thursday night — speed-dating. 

More than 100 people came out to chat one-on-one with political hopefuls. Couples were also welcome to sit down together with a politician. 

It was the first time an event like this has ever been held in the city. 

"It forces you to cut to the chase and not have long rambling answers," said Lisanna Sullivan, who took notes on the candidates with whom she spoke.

Each "date" lasted just a few minutes before voters moved on to the next candidate. 

"I was really interested in the municipal issues," said Taryn Parker. "There's enough information out there about federal politics but municipal, I just haven't heard anything about that.

"The federal election is kind of overshadowing the municipal this year." 

Nearly all of the 25 candidates running for mayor and council in Whitehorse took part, along with three federal candidates. Municipal candidate Samson Hartland was in Toronto, but joined the event by Skype. 

There was an interpreter for the hearing impaired, which allowed two audience members to participate that otherwise would not have been able.

Outgoing city councillor John Streicker, who helped organize the event, said the format is easy-going, and candidates respond differently in one-on-one encounters.

"It's friendly, right, so people get to know who you are a little bit," Streicker said. "In a debate there's a lot of tension."

Participant Eric Blake agreed.

"It's a neat way to get impressions of candidates that you don't normally get in an election," Blake said, adding that he'd do it again. 

"It would be a nice thing to do at every election."