Voters in HWAD 'not impressed' as PC candidate misses second debate

An empty chair at the all-candidates meeting held at Dundas Baptist Church Thursday drewboos andfrom the packed house and the criticism of NDP candidate Sandy Shaw.

The name cardfor Ben Levitt, PC candidate in Hamilton West-Ancaster-Dundaswas there, but the man himself was not according to the moderator he was sick and sent his regrets.

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Bob Corey said he'd attended two all candidates meetings in hopes of hearing from the PC candidate who he considers a front runner.

"I can't make a good judgment if he's not here . so I'm not impressed," he said, adding he's not crazy about any of Ontario's political parties and would consider voting for the PCs if only he could hear from Levitt.

"I've come twice now to see this gentleman speak and he's not here," Coreyexplained."I'm not a political junkie. I'm just trying to do a good job voting." Levitt also missed an all-candidates debate on senior's issues held on May 22.

But Dan Muys, Levitt's campaign manager, said any disappointment at that empty chair should actually be directed at him.

"I sent him home," he said, adding he believes the candidate is suffering from heat stroke after door-knockingall day in "40-degree humidity."

"He's not avoiding debates. He's been in three," Muys added.

NDPcandidate Shaw said"I think it's unfortunate that the PC Candidate didn't show, because I think this is a hugely important election and there's a lot of unanswered questions." Shecalled Levitt's absence "disrespectful."

• Ben Levitt named HamiltonWest-Ancaster-DundasPC candidate ... again

Shawalso pointed toreports of PC candidates skipping all-candidates meetingsin ridingsacross the province and questioned if the local candidate was avoidingtough questions about his party's lack of a "costed platform."

The 'most respectful debate I've ever attended,' audience member says

That story was backed up byLiberal incumbent Ted McMeekinwho said although he's a lot older than Levitt and also spent the day meeting voters, it's his understanding his opponent was very sick by the end of the day.

"I don't think that's quite fair. I was out in the heat today ... and I put sunscreen on and I understand he did not," he said. "It's my understanding he was throwing up and collapsed of heat stroke."

Levitt's absence seemed to be the only point of contention during the hour-long gatheringorganized by the Dundas Association of Churches.

In fact, at the end of the question period that was more more of adiscussion than a debate a woman in the crowd stood upand told the candidates,"This is the most respectful debate I've ever attended," to applause from other audience members.

Candidates faced a series of seven questions selected in advance on topics including, poverty, climate change, health care and provincial debt.

Green Party candidatePeter Ormondcalled for society to "slow down" and spend some time looking up from their screens, while Shaw promised her party would support theoverburdened health care systemthat left her father'shospital bed in the hallway for days after he had a stroke.

• Ted McMeekin is a good guy, HWAD seniors say, but his party has to go

McMeekintouted a list of accomplishments attained over his long political career and highlighted his dream of creating an ecopark that connects green space between the Niagara Escarpment and CootesParadiesas his No. 1 priority and an example of how the battle against climate change can be carried out at the local level.

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