With Lyle Johnson sitting in as moderator last night, candidates Mike Bachiu, Heather Eby, Steven White, and Doug Blanc all took to the mic to speak to residents about what they would do on City Council. They also answered any questions people had.

Around 80 residents were present at the forum put on by the Moose Jaw Kinsmen Club, in hopes of learning more about what each candidate stands for and to see who they would vote for in this by-election.

The beginning of the forum allowed the four candidates to introduce themselves to the crowd and tell attendees a little bit more about where they stand in three minutes.

Steven White said the city has a tremendous amount of potential, but it's just leaving. For him, it's about family, and he is willing to ask any question that residents may have from now until the election.

Mike Bachiu stressed the communication between City Council and residents; he wants to improve both Council and the city. He also said he is ready to put the work in for residents.

Doug Blanc said he is a balanced person who seeks to view all sides of an argument before making a full decision. He also said Moose Jaw is a fantastic place, but it has had a few errors. His main focus would be making sure to improve infrastructure for the city.

Heather Eby, a former City Councillor, wants to do some meaningful work in the final two years of this term. She wants to improve the communication between the Councillors and the Mayor, and also highlighted the importance of infrastructure in Moose Jaw. For her, City Council is about community service, not politics.

After the introductions finished, the floor opened for any attendees to answer questions. Candidates had one minute to respond to each question.

"Everyone said something I liked, everyone said a few things I liked, everyone said something I didn't like too. Maybe that's going to be the case, you pick the people you best align with. Sometimes there are questions people don't want to ask and that's where you can find the best answer based on how they reply to them," Errol Fonger said. "I'll have to mull it over a little bit, to be honest, but it's good. I mean I'm more informed with the candidates now then I would have been not coming."

Fonger was one of the many residents who had a question for the candidates; more specifically, his question was about the YMCA Fairford location and the lack of social programs if it were to close.

The YMCA, tourism, infrastructure, crime, drugs, taxes, the possible parking meter change, and downtown businesses were a few of the hot topics at the forum.

A question was even brought up about the DFFH scandal, but moderator Lyle Johnson didn't allow candidates to answer the question since proper facts haven't fully been released yet. However, Eby did explain that Council had done the proper thing by reprimanding the guilty Councillors. Since they weren't criminally charged, the restrictions placed on them were the most and harshest punishments Council could give.

Hopefully, each person in attendance left with a better understanding of each candidate and who they would want to vote for. Three advance polls remain, with one on Thursday, another on Saturday, and the final one on Monday. The by-election takes place October 17th.