Excluded Thornhill byelection candidates vow to attend tonight’s debate
‘All candidates will be recognized,’ says CAA organizer

Thornhill Liberal
February 6, 2014
By Tim Kelly

Several of those on the byelection ballot who’ve not been invited to the Canadian Automobile Association organized candidates debate at Le Parc Banquet Hall in Thornhill tonight plan to crash the event and make their presence felt.

Erin Goodwin, who ran in the 2012 provincial election byelection in Vaughan for the Freedom Party and is also running in the Feb. 13 byelection, has been excluded from participating in tonight’s 7 p.m. event.

Ms Goodwin, 28, is just one of four candidates who will not be at the candidates table. Along with Gene Balfour, 62, of the Libertarian Party who said he will attend the debate, it’s also expected Paupers Party candidate John Turmel and perennial candidate Kevin Clarke, who never misses a chance to run in an election and who is running for the People’s Party, may be at the debate.

Ms Goodwin is manager of the Vapor Central Lounge in Toronto, a place she describes as “a political hub that is civilly disobedient. You bring your own cannabis, everybody is 18 years of age or older,” and can “bring their own supply of marijuana, able to comfortably consume it on the premises. We provide vapourizers, top-of-the-line machines, glass bongs to rent out, operate as a social membership club, live podcasts, comedy events and stream all of our events online.”

She said her goal as a representative of the Freedom Party is to get the party’s message out, which she said she has been doing by going door-to-door. She said she has 50 signs up throughout the riding. While not a resident of Thornhill, she said she grew up here and her parents and sister still live here.

She said she is disappointed she has no chance to be part of the candidates debate this evening.

“I spoke to (debate organizer) Elliott Silverstein this morning and he told me there was no way he could include me. I was disappointed and I made that clear to him and I find that undemocratic. I think my party should be considered. I’m still hopeful they’ll change their minds. I will be there and I’ll have my signage and my literature.”

Mr. Balfour also spoke to Mr. Silverstein and explained he wanted to participate, but was told he would only be allowed to hand out literature and that only parties with candidates in all 107 ridings in the last provincial election were invited to participate.

“We only had 51 candidates last time, but we are a registered party and I actually spent half an hour on the phone with him,” said Mr. Balfour, “but he just said they (CAA) had already gone too far in their preparation and couldn’t accommodate us.”

Mr. Balfour said he will attend tonight and meet with those who come to the debate in the hopes of introducing himself and explain to those interested what the Libertarian Party stands for.

Mr. Silverstein, in a statement this afternoon, said “as the host of tonight’s debate, we decided on the format. This debate is a first for CAA, and like every experience, we learn from them. The byelection approached quite quickly and there was (and continues to be) limited information through the Elections Ontario website.

“All candidates present will be recognized in tonight’s opening remarks. Candidates will have an opportunity to hand out literature to attendees as they arrive. All guests in attendance this evening will have the same opportunity to ask questions. This is not about excluding. Those who inquired over the past 48 hours were informed of the process for tonight’s debate.”

The debate begins at 7 p.m. and includes Gila Martow of the Progressive Conservatives, Sandra Yeung Racco of the Liberals, Cindy Hackelberg of the New Democratic Party and Teresa Pun of the Green Party.

Doors open at 6:30 p.m. at Le Parc Banquet Hall at 8432 Leslie St., Thornhill, just south of Hwy. 7.