The FAIRPORT BEACH NEIGHBOURHOOD ASSOCIATION (FBNA) presented an ALL CANDIDATES PANEL on April 24… disappointing, embarrassing and shameful.
The GOOD
The FBNA deserves much praise for having the initiative to do such a presentation. It took time, energy and effort and kudos to all the FBNA members involved, particularly Craig Bamford, Shawna Stanley and the other members who were there at the event.
The panel presentation was efficiently and effectively done, moderated by Pickering Library Chair, Akim Maginley who clearly laid out the mechanics of the presentation in his welcome: intro of panelists, opening remarks, posing of submitted questions with panel responses, closing remarks, Q&A session.
The management of the entire presentation was efficient, courteous, and professional. Some TV networks could take lessons from this panel discussion.
An excellent job.
A summary with commentary
Only two parties participated in this exercise of democracy by local residents: LIBERALS, Juanita Nathan and NDP, Jamie Nye. This is absolutely shameful and the audience of more than 100 were visibly disappointed with this poor participation.
No shows
CONSERVATIVES, Alicia Vianga*
PEOPLES PARTY OF CANADA, Lisa Robinson, had a planned event for her party, riding
GREEN PARTY, Andrea Wood, notified she was ill
CENTRIST PARTY, Zaina Rana*
The marked candidates made no response to the invitation to this panel as far as we know. Particularly shameful is the CONSERVATIVE no show. This is one of the major parties, polling very strongly nationally, a party that should have been there. Shameful.
President of FBNA, another no show
Another surprising no show was President of the FBNA, Paul White. His executive put in so much effort and energy and he did not see it as important enough to mark his calendar as a ‘must attend‘ is surprising and shameful.
The summary
Nathan, LIBERAL, began her presentation with hesitancy and seemingly little confidence. As the presentation developed, Nathan grew stronger, answering the posed questions with increasing confidence, specific facts, clear policies and informative explanations.
Nye, NDP seemed to dissipate, and falter into confusion and seeming bewilderment as the presentation progressed. He requested a repetition first because he seemed confused or inattentive when the question was asked. Nye recovered eventually, calling out specific references to the importance of third parties and the beneficial legacies of the federal NDP with its minority government successes regarding medicare, dentacare and childcare. Solid points.
A troubling aspect of Nathan’s candidacy is that she is not a Pickering resident as far as we know, but is a parachuted candidate from Markham. This discrepancy was evident numerous times when she made references to Markham and her long time professional career there. Nye, on the other hand, underlined that he had lived in various parts of Canada but always returned to Pickering area as his primary residence.
Local candidate vs federal party leader enigma
The Canadian electoral system is disadvantageous for voters. One must vote for the local candidate rather than the federal leader. If one prioritizes the federal leaders, the voter must overlook the local candidates’ strength or flaws. Should the voter be particularly supportive of the local candidate, that candidate could belong to a party the voter does not support. An electoral enigma for Canadians, one which the federal government had promised to remodel and transform. It did not.
There is another problem with Canada’s political system. Successful local candidates have little say in Ottawa. They are back benchers, political ‘nobodies’ who can affect no actual changes and nothing that is of relative local value. In fact, they can languish in this political desert their entire term of office, getting nowhere or not affecting government policies except for one vote out of 343. Unless they are powerful personalities or have some notable dynamic that puts them in the foreground, they may wander the political desert their entire term of office.
The voter choice is difficult for voters in the Pickering-Brooklin constituency. “No show” candidates likely should be considered as no vote but to jump to that conclusion could be unfair to candidates with legitmate reasons for not participating. A tough call.
Based on what was said and how it was said at the panel presentation, again, the ultimate choice is very difficult. At some point, both candidates rose to the occasion offering positive and valuable information and both presented well. But each also faltered for varying reasons. Nathan is not local. Nye has difficulty with self-conviction.
However, there is one certainty from this presentation. Nathan and Nye both are sincere and committed candidates. Each deserves your vote.
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Again, kudos and kompliments to all the participants, both candidates, the organizers and the audience of this presentation. You are great Canadians in your active participation and support of our country this way. Bravo !
