Layton “no-show” ignites democratic response!
John Richardson, Independent candidate for Toronto Danforth appeared in what was supposed to have been an “All Candidates” debate.
Imagine a situation where a non-candidate might appear in a “Candidate’s Debate” and an actual candidate might be barred from that “Candidate’s Debate”. That is what almost happened on October 7, 2008 in the NDP stronghold of Toronto Danforth.
The debate got off to a slow start for two reasons:
1. Incumbent and NDP Leader Jack Layton didn’t appear. He dispatched NDP MPP, Peter Taubuns (who is NOT a candidate in Toronto Danforth), to appear in his place. The organizers of the debate (who reportedly had accepted Mr. Taubuns in advance), and moderator Wayne Walder worked hard to facilitate Mr. Taubun’s participation.
2. Canadian Action Party Candidate, Bahman Yazdanfar, who IS a candidate in Toronto Danforth was initially not allowed to appear in the debate (apparently there was an issue as to whether he had confirmed his participation).
Hence, the start of the debate was delayed. What followed was a fantastic exercise in “grass roots” democracy. It unfolded as follows:
Moderator Wayne Walder explained to the crowd that there was to be a vote from the crowd on two issues:
First, whether Mr. Taubuns, the non-candidate (appropriately decked out in his NDP button) would be allowed to appear.
Mr. Walder put the Taubuns vote to the people, (noting that he personally hoped that they would allow Taubuns to appear). The vote was overwhelmingly against Mr. Taubun’s participation. Surprisingly, the organizers and Mr. Walder decided to ask the crowd to vote again. (This is not made clear by the City TV video). Once again, the vote was overwhelmingly against the participation of Mr. Taubuns. At this point, Mr. Taubuns left the building.
Second, whether Mr. Yazdandar, the actual candidate (the Canadian Action Party) would be allowed to appear. Mr. Walder put the Yazandar vote to the crowd (without expressing his hope that Mr. Yanzandar be allowed to appear). The crowd voted in favour of Mr. Yanzandar. He appeared in the debate.
For video and a reporting from City TV see:
http://www.citynews.ca/news/news_27728.aspx
The “All” candidates debate of October 7 was a clear victory of “grass roots” democracy over party interests!
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Dear Jack,
Tonight, after being ill for the past week, I pulled it together to attend the ALL CANDIDATES debate for Toronto-Danforth. To say I was disappointed to see you were absent is an understatement. Instead of seeing you seated with the other candidates on stage, I walked into a debate as to whether or not the audience would allow a ‘stand-in’ to represent YOUR responses. How pompous!
Your absence was disrespectful to your fellow candidates who have taken on a civic duty and put themselves in front of the community to be our representative, not to mention the willingness to take on an incumbent, let alone a national party leader. Your absence was also disrespectful of your constituents.
This debate, after two rounds of voting, consumed the first twenty plus minutes of an evening that was to hear the concerns of Toronto-Danforth and how each would address the issue. You took the citizens of Toronto-Danforth for granted tonight.
As the clock reached 9:45, the moderator cut off the questioning even though several people stood in queue for some time waiting for their chance to ask a question of the candidates. We were putting in our time to become informed voters. Your assumption that we will re-elect you into Parliament cost the people of this riding twenty plus minutes of the democratic process to handle your presumptive absence and attempt to drop-in a proxy.
I am writing to tell you that my vote is not available for being taken for granted. My vote will be cast for the candidate who truly understands the issues because they live in the riding, has respect for the people they will represent, and won’t take my vote for granted.
As the former Conservative Candidate in Toronto-Danforth for the Federal Election 2006, I see progress for public debates here despite what this article reveals.
In the last election, there was not one public debate in Toronto-Danforth with all candidates present.
Why? simply this. Jack Layton’s office never accepted offers for the debates (three times in total as I recall). In response, Liberal Candidate Debra Coyne’s office confirmed she would not attend if Jack wasn’t present, and then the Conservative Party Organizer advised my campaign that I should not attend if Jack and Debra are not attending.
The fact remains, as Leader of the NDP, Jack Layton is campaigning nationwide and is everywhere but in Toronto-Danforth.
Bravo Toronto-Danforth for real public debates with at least nearly all candidates.
Kren Clausen
Publisher & Editor
ElectionsMedia.com
Canada Federal Election 2008
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