Cathy Dobson/The Independent

An abrupt departure by Bill Dennis at a youth-led all-candidates forum Wednesday means the five Sarnia mayoral candidates have not yet faced off during this municipal election campaign.

Numerous people witnessed a verbal altercation between Dennis and a youth prior to the event held at the Lambton College events centre.  

He left shortly after, according to Michelle Parks, one of 21 candidates running for a city seat.  

She said she saw Dennis arrive at the events centre with campaign material including hats and buttons.

“He was trying to hand them out to the youth and one of the youth got a little upset and said, ‘I don’t want it.’”  When an organizer was called to intervene, a “shouting match occurred,” according to Parks. 

“Then they (Dennis and a supporter) went out to the parking lot and never came back,” she said.  “That’s what I saw.”

Parks said young people successfully organized the largest all-candidates forum to date and worked hard to attract a crowd that grew over the evening to about 200.

“They wanted to hear from all the candidates and I find it a shame that (Dennis) couldn’t hold it together to be able to answer their questions. The youth’s voice is very important,” she said. 

Organizers included Rebound, where mayoral candidate Carrie McEachran worked for several years, Literacy Lambton, Sarnia-Lambton Children’s Aid Society and Sarnia Lambton Youth Wellness Hub. 

Event organizers refused comment.  

Shortly after leaving the events centre, Dennis posted a lengthy explanation for his absence on social media.

He said he attended “in good faith” even though the forum was organized by what he described as “left leaning social agencies (that) do not support me.” 

Within minutes of his arrival, Dennis’ post says he was subjected to several taunts and confrontational comments.

“I let the first several go and ignored them,” he wrote. “After it continued, I eventually responded to a couple of them.  I am absolutely human and eventually I will defend myself.  I believe most people would.”

Dennis said he was told he could not distribute campaign pamphlets and left the building to return his material to his vehicle. 

“While we were outside, someone was sent out to tell me I was not welcome back into the debate,” the post reads. 

He objected to the fact that no one else was asked to leave and said it’s important that people understand the context behind what happened to him. 

“The Sarnia-Lambton Children’s Aid Society has also been identified as being involved with tonight’s event,” Dennis posted. “My past public concerns regarding that organization’s hiring practices are equally well documented.  In 2024, I publicly challenged one of its recruitment advertisements and stated that hiring should be based on merit.”

In June, Dennis was ordered by an Ontario Supreme Court judge to pay $33,000 in damages for defaming Dawn Flegel, executive director of the Sarnia-Lambton Children’s Aid Society.  

The court also dismissed Dennis’ counterclaim, calling it an instrument of intimidation. 

In Wednesday’s post, Dennis said he would “not be intimidated out of participating in this election, and I will not stop speaking plainly about issues I believe matter to Sarnia.”