The political season kicks off in Nanaimo and Sechelt this week, with events to introduce candidates for the municipal elections and encourage more participation.
Turnout was around 27 per cent in Nanaimo in 2011 and 48 per cent in Sechelt.
Former mayor Bruce Milne is organizing the event in Sechelt.
He’ll be declaring his own run for mayor and he’ll be joined by at least 10 other potential candidates.
He says they’re not looking at forming a slate, but they do hope to set the tone for the coming campaign.
Monday’s event starts at 7pm at the Seaside Centre.
Progressive Nanaimo was formed earlier this spring, and they plan to back specific candidates in November.  They’ll be holding a “New Candidates Forum” Wednesday at 6:30pm at the Beban Park Social Centre. June Ross speaks for the group.
Ross says the group hasn’t yet decided which candidates to back, and they’ll wait until they get a bit of feedback from voters.
