CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. – The Green party candidate in the Charlottetown-Parkdale byelection wants district residents to hear from every candidate in the lead up to the Nov. 27 vote.
That’s why Hannah Bell has challenged the District 11 Liberal candidate, Bob Doiron, to debate the issues at a place and time of his choosing.
Doiron, a Charlottetown councillor, is unable to attend a Nov. 16 forum organized by the Young Voters of P.E.I., prompting Bell to challenge him to appear at another debate.
“You pick the date and time for a public debate, and I’ll be there,” said Bell. “We owe that to the voters of District 11.”
Green party deputy leader Lynne Lund said the party has prioritized public debates before residents decide who will fill Doug Currie’s former seat in the legislature.
“The days of being able to get elected on party reputation alone are gone, for obvious reasons,” said Lund. “Candidates must be able to demonstrate their own merit.”
Currie, the former Education minister, stepped down in October.
In response to Bell’s challenge, Doiron said he was already booked for another event on Nov. 16, which is why he won’t be able to attend.
Doiron said he will be participating in an all-candidates event on CBC radio that morning.
“I look forward to hearing and debating the local issues and priorities of District 11 with all candidates at that time and continuing to engage with as many residents as possible,” he said.
In addition to Bell and Doiron, the NDP have nominated leader Mike Redmond to run in the byelection, while the Progressive Conservatives selected city councillor Melissa Hilton as their candidate.
