MBC Media file photo
Pembroke residents will have an opportunity to hear directly from candidates in the 2026 municipal election as Festival Hall @ L’Équinoxe hosts two public debates in September.
A mayoral debate is scheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 22, at 7 p.m., followed by a council debate the following Tuesday, Sept. 29, also at 7 p.m.
The events will bring candidates to the Festival Hall stage to discuss issues facing the city and their priorities for Pembroke’s future.
Festival Hall director Dorian Pearce says hosting the debates is part of an effort to make the performing arts venue a broader gathering place for the community.
“These debates are exactly the kind of event Festival Hall should be hosting,” Pearce said in a news release. “We have this incredible facility right here in the Ottawa Valley, and it provides the perfect backdrop for important conversations about the future of our community.”
Pearce said the venue’s role extends beyond concerts and theatrical performances, noting it can also serve as a space for community meetings, events and discussions.
All candidates running for mayor and council in the 2026 municipal election will be invited to participate in their respective debates.
Festival Hall says details about the debate format, public attendance and how residents can submit questions will be announced closer to the events.
The debates are scheduled for Sept. 22 and Sept. 29 at Festival Hall in Pembroke.
(Steve Berard)
