Politics, and not a side-show, dominate final Ottawa–Vanier MPP byelection debate
Debate organizers hire security guards to prevent uninvited candidates from stealing the show
It was politics, and not a side show, that dominated the seventh and final Ottawa–Vanier byelection debate on Tuesday night.
Organizers were keen not to repeat what happened last week in Vanier when two uninvited candidates from fringe parties interrupted the debate and were eventually led out by police.
The event was organized by the Rockcliffe Park Residents Association, Lindenlea Community Association and Manor Park Manor Community Association. Two private security guards were hired to monitor the door for unwanted disturbances.
"We didn't want to have any difficulties so we asked the police to come, and they won't come," said organizer Marilyn Venner.
"So, we hired the security firm."
Debate attracted about 250 people
Sébastien Larochelle-Côté moderated. Organizers invited candidates from parties with a history of getting at least five per cent of the vote to answer questions posed by the crowd of about 250 people at Rockcliffe Park Public School.
Progressive Conservative Andre Marin, Liberal Nathalie Des Rosiers, New Democrat Claude Bisson and Green Raphael Morin took turns discussing the proposed closure of Rideau High School, the effect of combined sewage storage tunnel construction in Stanley Park, a downtown truck tunnel, the Energy East pipeline and hydro rates.
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Focus on hydro rates, appetite for change in Ottawa-Vanier byelection
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André Marin, ex-ombudsman, to run for PCs in Ottawa-Vanier byelection
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Nathalie Des Rosiers nominated for provincial Liberals for upcoming Ottawa-Vanier byelection
Listen to a panel of voters discuss the byelection here.
Marin was frequently on the attack, criticizing the Liberals for what he called a legacy of misspsending and for what he said was a confusing and puritan approach to beer and wine sales.
"You can buy wine at a certain place, but not another, depending on the time. Certain aisles will serve you, other aisles won't. It's so complicated," he said.
"Could you imagine if you came from outer space into Ontario and you wanted to buy a bottle of beer? Where would you go?"
'Dismal as a campaign'
Resident Kathy Southee said she came to the debate determined not to squander the power of her vote.
"The example south of the border is so terrifying," she said.
But Christopher Adam said that even with 11 names on the ballot, the choices are poor and the debate throughout the campaign overly narrow.
"Frankly, as an average voter, it's been dismal as a campaign," he said.
"If an entire election is based upon hydro costs, that is one issue. But the reality is, is that the issue that's really touching the largest number of residents? I'm not so sure about that."
Ottawa–Vanier currently without MP, MPP
As he had at the Vanier debate the week before, the man who legally changed his name to Above Znoneofthe tried to disrupt the event. He was refused entry by security guards.
The riding of Ottawa–Vanier is currently without an MP and an MPP.
Madeleine Meilleur, a longtime Liberal MPP and attorney general, resigned in June ahead of a cabinet reshuffle.
In August Ottawa–Vanier residents lost their longtime Liberal MP Mauril Bélanger when he died following a 10-month battle with ALS, also known as Lou Gherig's disease.
Bélanger had won seven consecutive elections after his initial win in a 1995 byelection.