The move ‘arrogant’ according to LFA leader

Cathy Dobson/The Independent

It’s not like Sarnia-Lambton incumbent MPP Bob Bailey to pass up an opportunity to speak to voters but he’s not attending a single all-candidates meeting this campaign.

“We’re trying something different this time,” said the local PC candidate Tuesday as he entered Global Donuts in Sarnia for something his campaign team calls a “Coffee and Conversation” event.

“It’s a winter election. It’s hard to get out in the evening. I can hardly get myself out of the house in the evening,” Bailey said when pressed for why the change in strategy.

Rather than go to a number of all-candidates meetings to discuss the issues with his political competitors, Bailey has opted to attend a number of restaurants for breakfast and lunch, then host a number of skating parties, even a public swim.He said he initially thought he might attend the Lambton Federation of Agriculture’s all-candidates meeting in Brigden on Feb. 19. But that was before the election was officially called Jan. 28.

Although a number of other Conservative incumbents are also not attending all-candidate meetings during this campaign, Bailey said there was no directive from the party.

“No, there was no email, no letter…I am just doing what I’m doing. I thought it was time to do something different,” he said. “Besides, the same people are going to the all-candidate meetings all the time. They aren’t as popular anymore.”

George Dickenson, organizer for the Lambton Federation of Agriculture (LFA) all-candidates meeting, said he is disappointed Bailey will be a no-show.

“If I’m hiring someone and they don’t come to the job interview, I’m not going to hire them,” Dickenson said. “Bob’s never done this before. But if something changes, Bob’s more than welcome.”

Dickenson is also organizing an LFA all-candidates meeting for the Lambton Kent Middlesex riding on Feb. 20 in Alvinston and said Conservative incumbent Steve Pinsonneault has also sent his regrets.

Dickenson said he is convinced the PC Party of Ontario is “trying to control the narrative.”

“I find it really arrogant,” he said. They think they have it in the bag.”

Five other candidates have confirmed attendance at an all-candidates meeting at 12:15 p.m. Feb. 18, hosted jointly by the Sarnia-Lambton Chamber of Commerce and the Rotary Club of Sarnia. But Bailey sent his regrets.

“Of course we are disappointed,” said Chamber CEO Carrie McEachran. “It would be nice to hear from the person whose been serving this community for such a long period of time.

“But certainly it’s also a good opportunity for the other candidates to be able to speak and let us know what their platforms are for the upcoming election,” she said.

Also running to represent the Sarnia-Lambton riding at Queen’s Park is: Rachel Willsie for the Ontario Liberal Party; the NDP’s Candace Young; Keith Benn of the New Blue Party; Libertarian Jacques Boudreau; Independent Nathan Colquhoun and Mark Lamore for the Ontario Party.