Ontario Liberals accuse Progressive Conservatives of avoiding debates
The Liberal candidate for Barrie-Springwater-Oro Medonte issued a challenge Sunday to all Progressive Conservative candidates, urging them to fill their reserved seats at debates across the province.
Jeff Lehman, Barrie's outgoing mayor, spoke on behalf of the Ontario Liberal Party Sunday, accusing his Conservative opponent, Attorney General Doug Downey, and all Conservative candidates of skipping debates and all-candidate meetings.
"We're here today because we are concerned about something that our candidates are seeing in ridings across the province, and that is it appears that PC candidates have been instructed not to attend all-candidate meetings and media appearances, avoiding debates, especially on issues where the government's record is weak," said Lehman. "This is bad for our province. This is bad for democracy."
Lehman alleges that appearances from Conservative candidates in 63 ridings have been skipped this election cycle. According to Lehman, Downey has appeared at just one of three all candidate events so far.
"By dodging these debates, Doug Ford, Doug Downey and the other Conservatives are taking for granted the trust that people put in our institutions, in democracy," said Lehman. "The most basic test of leadership is showing up; being accountable, listening to the public, answering questions and even uncomfortable ones."
PC Leader Doug Ford, who is campaigning in Bracebridge this morning with local Conservative candidate Graydon Smith, says candidates have not been told to skip debates.
"Not at all. We have a great, great candidate, Doug Downey, the Attorney General, up in Barrie," Ford said in response to the allegations. "He's done a great job representing the people. There's going to be some candidates that want to do the debates and some that aren't going to do the debate."
In a statement provided to CTV News, the campaign of Doug Downey says the Liberal campaign is 'falling apart'.
"The Barrie-Innisfil candidate has said the party will kill the Bradford bypass, and Mr. Lehman is promising more endless study and delay, despite supporting the bypass in the past," the statement says. "Both positions are at odds with their leader Steven Del Duca. It is obvious the Liberal campaign is now just every candidate for itself. Mr. Lehman should focus more on clarifying their party's position on the Bradford Bypass and less time worrying about all-candidate debates."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
A 'tragedy that can't be measured': North Bay's forever chemical problem is also the rest of Canada's
For decades, North Bay, Ontario's water supply has harboured chemicals associated with liver and developmental issues, cancer and complications with pregnancy. It's far from the only city with that problem.
opinion How to use your credit card as a powerful wealth-building tool
Irresponsibly using a credit card can land you in financial trouble, but personal finance columnist Christopher Liew says when used properly, it can be a powerful wealth-building tool that can help grow your credit profile and create new opportunities.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
Here's what 'the hinge' move is, how to do it correctly
When you're picking something up from the floor or bending over to tie your shoe laces, you're performing "the hinge move," according to movement trainers.
WATCH Dashcam video shows terrifying near-miss on two-lane northern Ontario highway
There were some scary moments for several people on a northern Ontario highway caught on video Thursday after a chain reaction following a truck fire.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
Average hourly wage in Canada now $34.95: StatCan
Average hourly wages among Canadian employees rose to $34.95 on a year-over-year basis in April, a 4.7 per cent increase, according to a Statistics Canada report released Friday morning.
Trump heading to Jersey Shore to rally 'mega crowd' in weekend break from hush money trial
After a long week in court, Donald Trump is heading to the Jersey Shore. And his campaign says he'll be joined by "tens of thousands" of his friends.
Barron Trump declines to serve as an RNC delegate
Former U.S. President Donald Trump's youngest son, Barron Trump, has declined to serve as a delegate at this summer’s Republican National Convention, according to a senior Trump campaign adviser and a statement from Melania Trump's office.