Shutting out certain mainstream media, not presenting a costing of platform but attacking other parties which have revealed their plans, refusing to get a security clearance and other missteps such as local Conservatives not attending all-candidates meetings should favour the Liberals. There has not been enough public support for reporters who were shut out of the process by Pierre Poilievre and his staff.

During the election campaign in Sault Ste-Marie, Poilievre arrogantly alluded to a reporter trying to do her job as a “protestor” even though he knew otherwise, refusing to allow the question on an issue the Conservative leader clearly didn’t like. Pollster David Coletto of Abacus Data says controlling the daily message as done by Premier Ford when those Conservatives had a big lead in the provincial polls is not something that favours Poilievre’s party given the polls federally; the strategy will not minimize risk and is unfair to the electorate.

Controlling which media can speak, keeping them physically distant from the Conservative leader and local candidates, limiting the number of questions to four and presenting a platform with costs attached after all the advanced polls is not something I want in a leader of our country.

Locally, the voters and candidates who took the time to attend two Peterborough venues, Activity Haven April 10th and the Canadian Canoe Museum April 11th were clearly disenchanted with incumbent Michelle Ferreri for not attending the all-candidates meetings; Ferreri had attended Activity Haven for a brief meet and greet, but left before the main event. In both cases earlier engagements were cited as the reason for her absence.

Notice of the Canadian Canoe Museum meeting was given to Ferreri’s team two weeks prior. Reporter Andrew Lupton writes that London Chamber of Commerce CEO Graham Henderson says these all-candidates meetings in front of a live audience are an “ important component of the democratic exercise which goes to accountability and transparency.” If deciding not to attend, “voters aren't getting the full spectrum of political views”.

Lupton further writes: "A political science professor at Western University, Cameron Anderson, asks: 'do they [candidates] risk being criticized for missing the debate? Or do they attend and face another gamble, such as a stumble that could give their opponents ammunition or turn into a damaging social media meme?'"

On the Conservative plan to defund the CBC, I think in Ferreri’s case at that Canoe Museum debate sponsored by an organization to save the CBC, it is clear which strategy the Conservatives chose in her notable absence. It was refreshing and important to see Liberal Emma Harrison and the other candidates in attendance for the theme: “Truth and the Trade War.”

Fred Rapson

Peterborough, Ontario