MAY 27 UPDATE: PC Candidate Rick Byers has now confirmed attendance. The story has been updated below.

Grey Bruce Climate Action Network (GBCAN) and The Sustainability Project member, Climate Action Team Owen Sound (CATOS), will be hosting an All Candidates Meeting on climate change for candidates running in the Bruce Grey Owen Sound (BGOS) riding, leading up to the June 2 provincial election.

Climate Change and the Future of our Region is set to take place on Thursday, May 26 from 7 to 9pm at the Harmony Centre, located at 890 4th Avenue East, in Owen Sound.

The event will be streamed on Rogers Cable and will air live on RogersTV Channel 53. It will also air on May 28 at 9pm, May 30 at 5pm. The event will also be streamed live on The Sustainability Project's YouTube channel.

"Moderators Odette Bartnicki, former municipal councilor, co-founder of Saugeen Shores Environmental Alliance (SEA) and Bruce County resident and Dr. Sonja Ostertag, toxicologist, ecosystem health researcher and climate advocate from Owen Sound, will explore Bruce Grey Owen Sound riding's local candidates’ thinking and commitment to climate change adaptation and mitigation strategies and policies for the Province of Ontario and their hopes for our local communities as the threat of increasing warming continues to mount," read a recent media release regarding the event.

Candidates who have confirmed attendance are Suzanne Coles, Ontario Party; Vince Grimaldi, New Blue Party; Karen Gventer, NDP; Selwyn Hicks, Liberal; Reima Kaikkonen, Independant; Joel Loughead, None of The Above Party; Danielle Valiquette, Green Party; Joseph Westover, Populist Party; Rick Byers, PC.

Organizers believe that mitigating and adapting to climate change is an overarching lens through which all community issues should be viewed, the release added. 

As well as the moderated discussion, there will be 30 minutes for moderators to take questions from the floor.

Everyone is welcome. Donations to cover the costs will be welcome, and in accordance with Public Health organizers recommend wearing masks although it is not required.