With the campaign trail on the home stretch, the Kerry Wood Nature Centre and the Red Deer River Naturalists hosted the final election forum on Wednesday evening.

The forum, which attracted about 50 people, was held at Notre Dame High School. Its focus was all things environmental.

Each candidate was given the opportunity to give opening remarks and then participants were broken into groups where they had the chance to chat about topics surrounding Red Deer’s environment.

Councillor Frank Wong said he would like to work with the City to synchronize the traffic lights in Red Deer.

“It doesn’t make sense because cars are sitting there giving off gas and people are fuming as well,” he said.

Councillor Gail Parks said if she is re-elected she will work to change water usage rates in Red Deer.

“I think for those people who are using less water, they should be rewarded with lower rates,” she said.

Candidate Matt Chapin said the City needs to continue to value its park and trail system.

“The parks are what I remember from my childhood,” he said. “When we’re expanding the parks I think we also have to remember the animals that live there.”

Topics discussed in small groups included air quality, the City’s green business practices, land use and developments and the river and parks.

Concerns and comments raised from these topics included traffic reduction, adding cycling lanes throughout the City, idling and recycling, green belts and current and future river usage.

The municipal election takes place on Monday.

efawcett@reddeerexpress.com