About 50 people showed up Wednesday night for the Humboldt and District Chamber of Commerce's all-candidates forum leading up to the October 19th federal election.

It wasn't actually an all-candidates forum, Carlton Trail-Eagle Creek Conservative hopeful Kelly Block declined her invitation.

HDCC President Andre Kruger explained why they wanted to host the event.

"You know a couple of guys came up to me and said they didn't even know the face of the Liberal candidate and they were really pleased that the Chamber went out and did this event. It was an opportunity for the candidates to state their platform on which you want to be elected."

You will hear from all our local candidates over the next three weeks on 107.5 Bolt FM leading up to voting day, including Wednesday's attendees Liberal Alex Slusar, Lynn Oliphant of the Green Party and New Democrat Glenn Wright.

The trio was allotted the same time to open the event with a five minute spiel stating their claim as to why they should have your vote. Following that they answered five mainly business related preempted questions. The agenda concluded with questions from the floor including a number of shots at Block for her lack of attendance.

Despite her absence Kruger said they needed to go ahead with the event.

"It was nice to have them here, it's a pity that Kelly Block couldn't make it but you know this was something we wanted to do for the riding. There is very few other towns or Chambers out there that's prepared to go out and do this. We thought it was important for our community and our business community to hear what the candidates have to say."

The questions from the attendees included topics of senior's care, health care, the senate scandals, First Nation education, the future of the CBC, Pharmacare, even the candidates stance on capital punishment was questioned which they all quickly denied their approval.

Kruger was pleased with the way the night unfolded.

"I spoke with the candidates, they were very impressed with the quality of questions and very pleased with the turn out. They would have actually appreciated if more to Chambers or more towns got them out so they could do this."

Beginning on Thursday, we will begin our election coverage and introduce our listeners and readers to 17 candidates in four different constituencies. The Carlton Trail-Eagle Creek riding will be first. We will also cover the Moose Jaw-Lake Centre-Lanigan, Yorkton-Melville and Prince Albert ridings.

For more on your riding or candidates visit Elections Canada's website.

You can hear more from Kruger below in his interview with Bolt FM's Clark Stork below.