Just 13 days remain until Election Day in Ontario.
Three of the seven candidates running in Thunder Bay-Atikokan took part in a forum this week hosted by the Anishnawbe Business Professional Association and the Thunder Bay Chamber of Commerce.
Eric Arner of the Green Party participated virtually while Robert Barrett of the Liberals and NDP incumbent Judith Monteith-Farrell were in the room for the one-hour session.
Kevin Holland, who is running for the Ontario PC Party, declined this invitation to participate, and one extended to his camp to take part in an event hosted by the Thunder Bay & District Injured Workers Support Group earlier in the month.
Barrett can’t understand not taking part in these events, adding “I just think it’s just so disrespectful for the Progressive Conservatives to not be sending out their candidates to speak and be accountable. Not only for the last four years but the next four years going forward.”
Monteith-Farrell feels the strategy is a pretty telling one should they get elected.
“If someone is not willing to talk to constituents and to be in an open forum and answer questions now, what are they going to do when and if they were elected?” Monteith-Farrell asked. “I feel that that is a lost opportunity for them because we don’t know what they stand for.”
Both Barrett and Monteith-Farrell were asked about having a strong voice at Queen’s Park after PC leader Doug Ford stated that he couldn’t even tell who the local members of provincial parliament (MPP) were while on a campaign stop on Saturday, May 7th.
“Doug Ford has been saying that for the last four years about any candidate that isn’t a PC candidate,” stated Monteith-Farrell. “His folks are rock stars and he doesn’t know our names. Maybe if he showed up in the legislature, he would hear a bit more. Just ask Kenora whose emergency rooms were closing, and they have a PC cabinet member there (Greg Rickford) so it’s not helping them.”
“I think any of the three candidates that took part (in the forum today) would do a very good job going forward and representing our constituents,” Barrett added. “I think they really care, our platforms are quite similar and I don’t think the Progressive Conservative platform just fits, whether it’s here in Northwestern Ontario or across the province.”
Election Day is Thursday, June 2nd with advanced polls open this weekend.
