Missing Tory candidate hammered for ‘disgraceful’ decision to skip Hamilton East-Stoney Creek debate
Skipping a provincial election debate in Hamilton East-Stoney Creek was a disgraceful" move by the Progressive Conservative party and its candidate that shortchanged voters, opponents say.
The east Hamilton riding became a surprisingly taut race after the NDP turfed MPP Paul Miller from the party over allegations - which the four-time incumbent denies - that he joined a racist Facebook group.
Now Miller, as an independent, is battling for the riding against Liberal city councillor Jason Farr, new NDP candidate Zaigham Butt and former football star Neil Lumsden for the Tories.
But Lumsden - whose party is leading in the polls - did not attend the all-candidates debate Wednesday, joining a much-criticized trend among many PC candidates across the province. Locally, the only Tory to participate so far in debates hosted by Cable 14 and The Spectator has been Flamborough-Glanbrook incumbent Donna Skelly.
Lumsden earlier told The Spectator the PC party decided he should skip the debate, so that's the way it is."
Candidates who did participate labelled his absence a disservice to voters and democracy.
If that's the way it is ... you can bet that's the way it will be if he is elected," said Farr, 53, who argued residents of the east-city riding deserve better from candidates purporting to represent their interests. Not attending this debate sends the wrong message that none of this matters," he said.
Butt, a 28-year-old accountant who is trying to hold the riding for the New Democrats, said the incumbent government is obligated to defend its record to residents. Where are the PCs tonight to be held accountable?" he asked.
Miller referenced a Toronto Star poll and editorial that called out Tory candidates, and Lumsden by name, for making the disgraceful" decision to skip local debates. Politicians should not hide behind their leader or behind high-priced communications firms," he said.
The debate participants variously criticized the past Tory government over the plight of residents in long-term care during the COVID-19 pandemic, planned highways through protected Greenbelt lands and a threat to overturn a local decision not to expand Hamilton's urban boundary.
But they took jabs at each other, too.
Farr, a longtime downtown councillor, touted his party's plans to fix gaps" in mental-health care that he argued are contributing to chronic homelessness in the city, but he faced an immediate challenge from the NDP candidate.
This is the same Liberal candidate who voted for spending thousands of dollars removing these homeless individuals (from park encampments)," said Butt, referencing ongoing controversy over a city policy to quickly clear homeless campers from municipal parks.
Later, Farr was asked what he would say to riding constituents who have been living in tent encampments.
Take the help ... nobody handles housing and homelessness better than the city of Hamilton," he said, arguing the city is being forced to handle issues caused in part by a lack of provincial funding for mental-health supports. Believe me, (a Liberal government) will make those investments."
Miller, meanwhile, was twice asked about the controversy of his ouster from the NDP - which resulted in his facing off against the son of his former riding association president Zahid Butt, a past family friend.
The 71-year-old repeatedly decried the false allegations" against him, arguing he could not have joined an anti-Muslim Facebook group because he does not know how to use the social media site and has never personally used it.
Miller dismissed his NDP replacement as an opportunist who saw his chance to further his own personal interest."
He also had harsh words for his former party and leader, Andrea Horwath, arguing the NDP is not the party of labour anymore" and noted it has lost endorsements of several construction unions to the Doug Ford-led Tories. Sometimes leaders have to know when to step down ... she should have stepped down before this election."
Butt did not respond to the personal jab, but noted his party has still attracted the public support of Ontario's biggest unions and labour groups, including the Ontario Federation of Labour.
The NDP will always be a voice and a party for workers," he said.
Who was there
Liberal Jason Farr, New Democrat Zaigham Butt and independent candidate Paul Miller attended the televised debate. Invitations were extended to PC candidate Neil Lumsden and Green Party candidate Cassie Wylie, but they did not attend. Also running in the riding are Cameron Rajewski of the Electoral Reform Party, Dominic Deluca of the Ontario Party and Jeffery Raulino of the New Blue Party. Raulino provided a video recording that was played during the debate.
Matthew Van Dongen is a transportation and environment reporter at for The Spectator. mvandongen@thespec.com