Surprise, Conservatives Often A No Show

If you are aware of any candidate of any party who won't commit to attending all candidates meetings, multi-party joint radio or television interviews, or doesn't show up to an arranged event, please contact CBC reporter Janyce McGregor (contact info found in the story linked below).

All-candidate no-shows: A growing list (April 19, 2011 - Janyce McGregor, CBC News) So far, the examples available show mostly Conservatives. But if you know of more examples that should be included here, we'd be happy to receive updates. And I'll keep adding them to this list as I receive them.

We provide support for candidates to participate in candidates debates, but we don't instruct them not to attend debates. Most candidates would prefer to meet with voters one on one though instead of debating their opponents in crowds of committed supporters of the different parties. Ryan Sparrow, Conservative spokesperson

I can't speak with authority about the current election but know for a fact that the statement by Conservative Party spokesperson Ryan Sparrow most certainly was not true in the last election. I think it is fair to conclude that some Conservative Electoral District Associations have had their local autonomy usurped by the party machinery higher up and were ordered to hide their candidates.

Here in Vancouver-Kingsway I'm wondering if we'll see the Conservative candidate show up at the all candidates meeting hosted by Collingwood Neighbourhood House (7pm, Wednesday April 20, 5288 Joyce Street, Vancouver - just south of the SkyTrain line). I've even heard an unsubstantiated rumour that the Liberal candidate might not even show. Sincerely, I hope both show up. Canadian voters deserve at least this much respect.

To the south of my riding I'm very pleased that the Conservative candidate Wai Young, in this election, was permitted to step out in public and participate today in joint appearances with Liberal Ujjal Dosanjh and New Democrat Meena Wong on CKNW's Bill Good Show and CBC's Early Edition.