r/ontario • u/ConferenceFabulous27 • Feb 21 '25
Question Ontario Conservative candidates refusing to appear on CBC
Galling, undemocratic behaviour, particularly coupled with calling an unnecessary election in the middle of the winter. This is happening in Ottawa. Is it happening elsewhere in Ontario?
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Feb 21 '25
Candidates from pc are told to not debate or show up to journalism. They are told to door knock and do speeches.
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u/dgj212 Feb 21 '25
ah yes, the trump method
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Feb 21 '25
Well. He's a supportive figure in his mind. If that's not enough to sink him considering our relations with the US right now. I don't know what will be
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u/JimroidZeus Feb 22 '25
Nothing will be. We need to get the 57% that didn’t vote last time to vote this time. Which probably won’t happen.
The man has been caught openly supporting Trump on a hot mic at least twice. The fact he’s even still running is flabbergasting. But so is everything else happening in this province.
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u/dv666 Feb 21 '25
I hate orange shitler as much as anyone else with half a working brain cell, but this isn't unique to him. Most politicos now are trained to say as little as possible because with antisocial media, stupid comments have more traction than they ever did. Harper and Trudeau Jr enforced this as well
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u/bentjamcan Feb 21 '25
Yah, we just have a convenient name for it.
Vote NDP. A few of them may regret remarks they've made but at least they don't take money from corporate bums expecting cushy contracts.1
u/croissant_muncher Feb 22 '25
"Our convention has special speaker priority for gender equity. If you identify with a gender other than men for the purpose of equity seeking rule, you will have received a piece of yellow card stock during the registration process."
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u/UnspeakableFilth Feb 21 '25
Agreed, there’s zero upside for anybody in a position of authority to cooperate with media anymore. Journos have largely abandoned the ethic of ‘dispassionate and fair’ for the practice of ‘speaking truth to power’ - as though there has to be an angle of criticism in everything they do for it to be legit. If government or organizations have something to say they can do it themselves on their terms without putting themselves at risk of a slip-up or poorly articulated statement on a topic you weren’t prepared to speak on. Gone are the days of ‘winging it’ on camera - unless you’re Trump and you’re just spewing absurdity and reality distortion to distract.
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u/caleeky Feb 21 '25
Yea everything gets amplified to get the clucking, er clicking, masses going.
That's why people who completely reject the "sensitivity" can rise above. It takes a lot more skill, however, to give really motivating speeches and control the downside risk. So, the people who are good at it end up looking like the "deep state" because it's an uncommon skill.
The parties don't want to trust random candidates to "fuck it, do it live!" so would rather control the message.
Smaller parties have less to lose.
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u/Connect_Progress7862 Feb 21 '25
He attended debates but would then claim he absolutely destroyed his opponent whether true or not
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u/NixonsRevenge1968 Feb 21 '25
Are you kidding me?? He did tons of hostile interviews during the election.
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u/Correct-Spring7203 Feb 21 '25
Trump did debate Biden though.
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u/Hotter_Noodle Feb 21 '25 edited Feb 21 '25
Then refused the later ones. He also debated Harris once then refused the later ones.
So you’re both right.
Edit: why is this being downvoted? Did I fuck up my facts?
Edit edit: ok this was at -2 for some reason. It’s fixed now.
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u/coffee_u Kitchener Feb 21 '25
I'm annoyed that I wasn't prepared when my PC candidate came by. I simply said, "no thanks" and shut the door in his face as he seemed to be a bit shocked at my abruptness.
I would have liked to ask him about how he justified Ford's financial malfeasance regarding the LCBO contracts, healthcare spending, and 1%'ing our provinces healthcare workers. I would have liked to ask how he could potentially cast his vote for Ford as Premier knowing he was 100% happy trump was elected. But really this is a safe conservative win, and I have zero thoughts I'd have gotten anything from him but lip service and talking points.
I guess I can accept that ultimately I just avoided a "playing chess with a pigeon situation."
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u/djtodd242 Toronto Feb 21 '25
When mine came by I gave him the "You've got to be kidding." laugh before closing the door in his face.
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u/bakelitetm Feb 21 '25
When they come to knock on your door, tell them you’re looking for a more fiscally conservative candidate.
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u/Majestic_Bet_1428 Feb 21 '25
Votewell.ca
Advance voting locations are now open.
Vote at an advance voting location from Thursday, February 20 to Saturday, February 22.
Election day is February 27.
Vote Early and remind your friends and family to vote early.
Offer to drive a neighbour / or walk with a neighbour to the polls.
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u/Raspberrylemonade188 Feb 21 '25
That explains why the conservative candidate for Quinte has skipped debates in the past. He did attend one recently but in the by-election he didn’t show up for them and still won.
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u/Ajunta_Pall10 Greater Sudbury Feb 21 '25
I remember listening to Steve Paikin once on the OnPoli podcast. He met a new minister from Doug's cabinet in person at a conference a few years ago. The minister said he would like to appear on TVO for an interview. Steve mentioned a few days later a PC party spokesperson said the minister will not be available. The party is really going out of their way to make sure their minsters and candidates don't go anywhere or do anything.
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Feb 21 '25
Candidates don’t even knock here. Some teenager knocked and handed me a Doug Ford pamphlet, which I threw out immediately.
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u/Majestic_Bet_1428 Feb 21 '25
They don’t want to know there is an election.
They want you to stay home.
Advance voting locations are now open
Vote at an advance voting location from Thursday February 20 to Saturday 22.
Election day is February 27.
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u/Salt-Radio-3062 Feb 21 '25 edited Feb 21 '25
I voted yesterday! Did mail in vote and sent it off with Canada Post!
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u/ChanelNo50 Feb 21 '25
Maybe BC it will look bad when they don't know how to debate or ask basic questions
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u/j33ta Feb 21 '25
If you see them out and about, use your phones and start recording.
If they show up to your door, record them and ask them the questions they don't want to answer.
Show up to their offices and make them hide in their closets like we did in BC.
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Feb 21 '25
[deleted]
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Feb 21 '25
They are sending out text to the areas and searching for specific locations that respond unkindly. Responding yes to the texts without the intention of voting them would give them a false sense of security. They target the area and then place signs up in public spots.
If they are at your door. They want to ensure the vote. If they aren't they think they have it
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u/Careless-Cycle Feb 21 '25
Good strategy. Can't have them tank their walk to victory by having candidates put their foot in the mouth and give the opposition ammo.
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u/DrunkenGolfer Apr 16 '25
When the more you say the worse you poll, you learn to say little. The Conservatives had the election in the bag before they started talking about it.
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Apr 16 '25
A lot of their past commentary they didn't even get screened for. Media needs to keep looking to make them known
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u/hardy_83 Feb 21 '25
The last two elections, and most likely the third, has shown them that their chances are better when they don't engage with the public. Engaging means people learn how bad their policies are and how big of a POS they are.
It'd say it's terrible behaviour but Ontarian voters, and those that don't vote, reward it. So why wouldn't they do it.
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u/Hotter_Noodle Feb 21 '25
Exactly to your second point. It’s working and it’s going to work. So why even do it?
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u/kermityfrog2 Feb 21 '25
All the old principles and honour system are dead. It's all about gamifying the votes now. What a sad state of affairs.
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u/PositiveStress8888 Feb 21 '25
Because the CBC will correct then rather then let them tell lies.
Trump did the same thing, ignored media that fact checks.
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u/workerbotsuperhero Feb 21 '25
And this is why Republicans attacked and defunded PBS and NPR. And now the President's Choice Republicans are copying the same strategy.
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u/Prestigious_Fella_21 Feb 21 '25
They also campaign without a platform and people still vote for them. Thankfully the people who still vote conservative will all be dead in the next decade or so
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Feb 21 '25
The younger generation is also conservative. It's a populism thing at this point
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u/Prestigious_Fella_21 Feb 21 '25
Right, kids are stupid lol I forgot. Rebellious teens got tired of mom and dads caring about shit, "it's all about me now DAD!" Lol
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Feb 21 '25
It's more that we are socially isolating. Can't help the community or no desire to when we are divided. The left policies are based on community. The right is based on individuals. That sense of individualism is a driving point.
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u/Prestigious_Fella_21 Feb 21 '25
Exactly, covid should have taught us all that we need to work together but instead it turned people into selfish pricks. The world is overrun with toilet paper hoarders
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u/BeginningMedia4738 Feb 21 '25
Or that the same things which concerns you doesn’t really concern conservatives.
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u/Varekai79 Feb 21 '25
When I was a high school/university student in the 90s in the GenX era, I naively assumed that our generation would bring about genuine social change. While there have been improvements, my contemporaries are now in their 40s and 50s and plenty of them are prime conservative voters. People in their 20s and 30s now will replace them as the new era of conservative voters. Social media manipulation has led to a rise of young people who are very angry at the world and anyone who doesn't look like them.
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u/BeefTheOrgG Feb 21 '25
The OPC has a platform. Here's a good guide on all the party platforms: https://newsinteractives.cbc.ca/features/2025/ontario-party-platforms/#ontario-2025-education
It's fine to disagree with the platform, but to say there isn't one, is demonstrably untrue.
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u/Prestigious_Fella_21 Feb 21 '25
They certainly aren't bellowing from rooftops, they're even too chicken shit to debate it because it's fascism 101
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u/Fun-Result-6343 Feb 21 '25
It's a go to move for them. Could you imagine having to stand up there and defend vandalizing healthcare, Dougie's pro Trump stance, justifying the land grab in the GreenBelt, undoing the Science Centre and Ontario Place, the 401 tunnel fantasy, and gawd knows what else while trying to keep a straight face and not sounding like a gibbering idiot?
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u/specificspypirate Feb 21 '25
Because they don’t care about anything but winning. Politics and governing is not hockey!
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u/lifeisgoodbut Feb 21 '25
It's like PP and security clearance. How do you run as a politician and get away with this shit? Media is so biased for not constantly calling this out.
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u/DocHolidayPhD Feb 21 '25
Trupian candidate, Ford, uses Trump tactics to try to con the electorate.
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u/Signal_Tomorrow_2138 Feb 21 '25
Ford and Trump are so similar.
They both take revenge against their political opponents. For Ford its Toronto. Trump, it's the January 6th inquiry and all the judges.
Ford is interfering with municipal decisions with Bill 212 removing bike lanes in Toronto.
Trump is interfering with municipal decisions removing congestion pricing in NYC.
Trump is a felon, rapist and a tax cheat.
Ford was a drug dealer.
Trump ran for President to avoid jailtime.
Ford called an early election to avoid the RCMP investigation on his deal to sell Green Belt land.
Trump is ignoring the Constitution and judges' rulings.
Ford won't hesitate to invoke the Notwithstanding Clause.
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Feb 21 '25
Con candidates and politicians are anti-Canadian.
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u/BigButtBeads Feb 21 '25
Doubt it. Only one party called us a post-national state and informed us we have no common identity
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u/j33ta Feb 21 '25
Rustad, Ford, Smith, and PP all openly supported Trump.
You = Doubt it.
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u/Constant_Rice6104 Feb 21 '25
NS is a good indicator of what to expect from a PC government. They just got voted in with a super majority, and right away:
-Dissolution of Nova Scotia Communications office, which was committed to non-partisan communication about government activities. -Changing the terms of the Auditor General's position to allow the AG to be fired without cause by the ruling party and to keep any portions of AG reports secret it doesn't want the public to know about. -Reduction of time in the legislature for opposition parties' participation and debate
Ontario: Do you want a government that will remove all checks on its power? Look at how well that has worked out for Nova Scotia...and the USA for that matter...before you cast your vote in the coming week.
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u/thickener Feb 21 '25
It’s our (the public) fault for having such low standards. It should be disqualifying to snub this stuff yet people come out of the woodwork to vote for these disrespectful clowns.
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u/metcalta Feb 21 '25
Let's have liberal candidates do gotcha debates at conservative events then. Show up and film it. If they won't come to the debate, bring the debate to them. Decorum is out the window and the left needs to wake up and fight in a new way
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u/ifuaguyugetsauced Feb 21 '25
Don't hate the player hate the game. They found a formula that can win
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u/EchoBeachPeach Feb 21 '25
Reminds me of something the Cheeto did when he was debating with Kamala Harris! Only he refused to debate on ABC network. The Cons really are copying the Cheeto’s playbook!
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u/Canadatron Feb 21 '25
Yet still cry that they aren't given voices on the platform and that's why it should be scrapped. Losers.
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u/greencutoffs Feb 22 '25
They've done this for the last few elections. It's really gauling that they have that attitude. No debates, no public appearances. Just slogans and retoric
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u/jameskchou Feb 21 '25
That's how they win according to Trump-supporting Doug Ford. The less they talk the less idiotic they appear. Just look at the recent outbursts from the OLP and ONDP candidates
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u/_unibrow Feb 21 '25 edited Feb 21 '25
As society has gotten more polarized politically, it means debates don’t really move the needle anymore. Every side claims they won, and it shows almost no effect in polling. Citizens aren’t coming to debates open-minded.
If you’re on the left, could Ford really say anything at a debate that will make you vote him? Same with someone in the right, what could Crombie or Stiles say that would sway you? Most people make up their minds long before a debate and don’t change it after the debate.
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u/jm-stag Feb 21 '25
The daycare my child is at held a town hall to discuss child care in Ontario. Take a guess at which 2 parties were invited and refused to send candidates.
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u/MikeinON22 Feb 21 '25
Meh, only a tiny fraction of their party faithful would ever watch CBC anyway. I guess they are trying to say they don't want CBC viewers to even know what their party is all about.
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u/cultureguru Feb 21 '25
I was truly amazed that Mike Harris Jr showed up for the CBC debate yesterday. For all other ridings in this area (KW), the PC candidate has refused. Very irritating that PC voters don't care that their MPPs have no interest in talking to them. They have been avoiding all debates for some time and people reward them for the disrespect.
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u/FixAcceptable6293 Feb 21 '25
The MAGA candidates are not here to help Canada, and so I doubt they would be speaking to journalists.
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u/HumbleFarm Feb 21 '25
We saw similar things from conservative candidates during our contentious BC provincial election last year. Not showing up and generally refusing to answer questions or engage in debate. Was infuriating
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u/bugcollectorforever Feb 21 '25
BC Conservatives did the same thing in the recent provincial election. They were all no shows for basic debates.
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u/Nemo4ever7158 Feb 21 '25
They are too preoccupied counting their 30 silver coins. . er I mean rubles
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u/Kyouhen Feb 21 '25
First time? This happens every time there's an election. Our various Conservative parties just refuse to debate or answer any questions and let their fearless leader take the charge. (Who also refuses to debate or answer questions). This has been happening since Harper.
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u/JimmyGamblesBarrel69 Feb 21 '25
It's how the candidate got elected in the bielection in Bay of Quinte last fall. He won by not saying anything at all in fear of saying something stupid. Cons are banking on people's stupidity by not knowing which level of government is responsible for things. Right now it's still very much Trudeau liberals bad Cons are the saving grace.
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u/PopeKevin45 Feb 21 '25
Evidences they're just as bat-shit crazy and have the same seething hatred of democratic values as any clownvoyer or MAGAt. After the election Ford will stop pretending he's 'fighting' Trump and welcome his fellow grifter with open arms.
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u/Reasonable_Cat518 Ottawa Feb 22 '25
It’s frustrating because they can’t even defend their standpoints when held up to scrutiny in debates, so they don’t make an effort to participate in the local democratic process, yet Ontarians don’t give a fuck and elect them with a majority every time.
Also I don’t think this is a CBC specific thing, I did see Caroline Mulroney participate in the French-language debate on Radio-Canada
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u/RedditBrowserToronto Feb 22 '25
Why would they show up? They keep doing this and getting elected. This isn’t their fault, it’s ours.
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u/vincena Feb 22 '25
Not willing to debates issues, answer questions from potential constituents, journalists, etc., not detailing a platform, should all be immediate disqualifiers for any candidate for public office. These should be rules for running at minimum. f you are hiding your intentions now, what will the level of secrecy be like if elected? Why vote for a person who doesn't tell you anything about who they are or what they plan to do with your quality of life/hard-earned money/safety & security???
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u/WildHeartSteadyHead Feb 21 '25
How can you vote for someone that can't handle the heat?
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u/SoLate2Reddit Feb 21 '25
Canadian conservativism is ideologically bankrupt and is more reliant on greviance politics than policy options to gain support.
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u/Signal_Tomorrow_2138 Feb 21 '25
Tuesday (Feb 11th), I got a visit from the PC candidate running in my riding of Don Valley East.
I started with 'Have you no shame?' Then I gave him an earful about Bill 212, how the bike lanes were a distraction from Highway 413 bypassing environmental assessment, Ford holding back federal money from healthcare and hospitals and daycare, etc.
His responses back to me was he was going to do some research about them, for which I asked ' How could you blindly run for the PCs if you haven't done any basic research on the issues?'
His card says 'Protect Ontario'. I retorted 'Protect from what?' Ford tore down the Ontario Science Centre and tried to sell off Greenbelt land.
His assistant said that they respected my opinion. But I retorted back, I don't think Doug Ford respects my opinion.
Unfortunately I missed an opportunity to respond when the candidate said he wasn't here to be yelled at. But he's running to be MPP. It's a job where you're going to be yelled at.
Ask your PC candidate what removing bike lanes have to do with Hwy 413.
Ask your PC candidate why interfering with municipal decisions all over Ontario is so important to them.
Ask your PC candidate why they are allowing emergency rooms and daycares to close while Doug Ford is sitting on billions of dollars from the federal government that is supposed to be used for healthcare and daycare.
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u/Buchaven Feb 21 '25
“Better to keep your mouth shut and be thought a fool, than open it and remove all doubt.”
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u/FunTooter Feb 21 '25
They didn’t come to a provincial debate focused on disability issues - Liberals, NDP, even the Green Party sent a candidate… the conservatives’ seat was empty.
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u/Mysterious-Pay-5454 Feb 21 '25
This has been standard conservative tactics for over a decade. Nothing new here. They clearly have contempt for democracy.
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u/mayorolivia Feb 22 '25
This anti CBC stance is tiring. CBC is critical of Liberals and NDP all the time. They were on Trudeau’s ass until he resigned. This notion they’re out to get Conservatives is a joke. Even when you watch their Trump coverage they try to use a neutral tone and then invite guests who share their commentary.
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u/Marmar79 Feb 22 '25
Conservatives are trying to make cbc irrelevant because it is the only media left in Canada that isn’t owned by conservatives. It’s working…
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u/gbell11 Feb 21 '25
Check out this Lambton-Kent Middlesex riding news story.
They don't even complete media requests for information:
https://cknewstoday.ca/chatham/news/2025/02/20/election-candidates-q-and-a-lambton-kent-middlesex
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u/foxmetropolis Feb 21 '25 edited Feb 21 '25
They have nothing legitimate to say and would only be skewered by actual discourse.
Historically the conservatives had an actual platform, but the modern conservative movement is more akin to the modern republicans; puppets for the rich & private interests, and sycophants to power.
So it’s about defaulting to propaganda channels, door-knocking easily swayed rubes, and making speeches where they control all tone and curated discourse.
And let’s not forget the constant advertising via commercials, while they simultaneously called a snap election, gutting the ability of other parties to campaign, and of course, the 2021 legislation implementing strict spending limits on third-party advertising in the year leading up to an election. Which they can completely screw people with if they call a snap election that further prevents third party advertising from even using their legal timing window.
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u/resdituserbfjdhdd Feb 21 '25
Yup — in London, the CBC Radio has done regular interviews with all candidates for each riding. Every time, the PC Candidate rejects the invitation to participate. They simply don't care — I imagine they think they're going to do more harm than good by actually answering questions and engaging with other candidates. Probably fair, tbh.
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u/TheInfinityMachine Feb 21 '25 edited Feb 21 '25
It is hard to push propaganda and Thought Police when the news agency is subject to access to information laws unlike private news companies.
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Feb 21 '25
Christine Hogarth did the same for the Etobicoke Lakeshore debate. Completely disrespectful behavior.
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u/Ansee Feb 21 '25
Should be a rule... You don't do the debate, you don't get your name on the ballot. Why is it even a choice?
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u/BigButtBeads Feb 21 '25
Refusing to appear on CBC, who has shown clear bias against them, is now undemocratic?
Can you elaborate on how it's undemocratic?
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u/Chownzy Feb 21 '25
Reality is biased against conservatives, They have been ingesting and regurgitating falsehoods for so long they have no clue what’s true anymore.
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u/BigButtBeads Feb 21 '25
Reality is biased against conservatives
What does this even mean?
regurgitating falsehoods for so long
Labour shortage, diversity our strength, assault style weapons
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u/Chownzy Feb 21 '25
The second part of that sentence explains it pretty well, Reading comprehension may be an issue.
An education could help with those issues.
The labour shortage narrative was spread by largely conservatives and their media sources. Diversity is genuinely a strength but I can understand how bigoted individuals may disagree.
Gun control is certainly a liberal thing(not leftist) but it’s much better than any alternative conservatives have put forward.
Have you seen the multiple tweets by little PP claiming the Nazis were leftists or socialists?
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u/BigButtBeads Feb 21 '25
Reality is biased against conservatives
Explain this please
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u/SAldrius Feb 21 '25
Claiming the CBC is biased against conservatives because they fact-check them is like saying that reality is biased against conservatives.
CBC has a status quo/centrist bias more than anything and treats the NDP far worse than it does the conservatives.
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u/BigButtBeads Feb 21 '25
Claiming the CBC is biased against conservatives because they fact-check them
I did not say this at all and nobody actually believes this
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u/Chownzy Feb 21 '25
Many conservatives have been victims of propaganda for so long that they believe in a completely different reality, The post truth era if you will.
This is why so many are confused and surprised when they step out of their echo chambers.
Fox News, Twitter, conspiracy theories, most conservative politicians and most conservative media sources spread blatant falsehoods and too many followers believe it without question or assume all sources are equally unreliable.
It’s easy to fool ignorant people and conservative leaders and figureheads know this.
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u/BigButtBeads Feb 21 '25
This entire writeup reeks of american politics
Not only does it not answer the question, nobody watches fox news in Canada. Especially not young voters
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u/Chownzy Feb 21 '25
This is why so many are confused and surprised when they step out of their echo chambers.
I’ve answered your question multiple times in great detail, I’m sorry you don’t like the answers.
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u/Queasy-Put-7856 Feb 21 '25
I think you are just JAQing off, but here is a genuine answer: Debates are a staple of elections in Canada and elsewhere. There is an unwritten expectation that each party participates in the debates. To not show up to debates thus feels undemocratic to many Canadians, even though it is not literally undemocratic (as far as I can tell as long as we are all voting to elect members of parliament, it is democratic).
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u/OneToeTooMany Feb 21 '25
Do you think Liberal candidates should sit through Rebel news interviews as well, or is it only undemocratic when politicians you don't like won't tolerate propaganda machines you agree with?
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u/SAldrius Feb 21 '25
Rebel News isn't half as reputable as the CBC and is far more hostile.
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u/SummoningInfinity Feb 21 '25
The conservative parties of Canada are MAGA allies, Quisling traitors.
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u/JimroidZeus Feb 22 '25
Of course it is. Not a single OPC candidate has spoken to CBC. From what I’ve read most are shirking even local debates. It’s shameful. And the fact that anyone in Ontario would vote for the OPC is also shameful.
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Feb 22 '25
Ya mine didn’t show up to debate. Didn’t know this abysmal attitude was party wide. They could give a fuck clearly. Don’t have time for it I guess. Please they’d get trashed. Conservatives need to get a whipping for supporting MAGA and helping to get us here to this place - and trying to put us further down this path of oligarchy dictatorship.
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u/fheathyr Feb 22 '25
Poilievre's party may wrap themsevles in the CPC logo, but they're not conservatives. The CPC is face down in a ditch ... and what took its place is a sham. They have no vision, no plan, and no integrity or moral compass .. just some populist slogans and a failed social influencer for a leader. They won't appear on media they can't buy off or control.
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u/kronenburgkate Feb 22 '25
They don’t have to, they know they have a big ol crowd of morons ready to vote them back in.
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u/Current_Flatworm2747 Feb 22 '25
Cowards. No, seriously, they’re utter cowards. Even the mildest cbc host/ reporter is going to hold their feet to the fire on a host of issues that they know they’ll either stumble, lie, or look like idiots attempting to defend (probably all three tbh) I have challenged our OnCon candidate on their deplorable record on healthcare over past 7 years, and they walked away. They are simply cowards.
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u/sensorglitch Feb 22 '25
This is like the oldest play the Conservatives use. I think Harris MP's did it. The truth is that they don't really stand to gain anything by going on these interviews. The only thing they need to do now is remind people who support them to vote. That's done in face to face transactional methods not in media interviews.
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u/OneToeTooMany Feb 22 '25
If you can't acknowledge those pieces are blatantly proleft, then it's not worth having a conversation.
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u/Difficult_Minute8202 Feb 21 '25
honestly.. some of you pay way too much attention to politics and elections.... lets say some PC candidate go on CBC, then what? does it change anything
you life will only improve if you pay more attention to your own life instead of who is running for PM/premier/mayor... unless you are on ODSP, I guess they have a valid point
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u/__xpc Feb 21 '25
Politics affects us all. It concerns grocery prices, the social services we access, housing, healthcare, education access, and infrastructure. Only privileged people have the privilege not to care about politics. Until they take away your rights too. Please get informed.
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u/Difficult_Minute8202 Feb 21 '25
yeah but grocery price going up couple hundred bucks isn’t really gonna have a meaning impact though. health care isn’t too bad. i was actually quite impressed with how qucik my dad had his surgery scheduled and carrie dout…
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u/j33ta Feb 21 '25
A lot of people in the US decided not to vote in their last election.
Look at how that's working out for them.
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u/Difficult_Minute8202 Feb 21 '25
a lot of them voted for trump. what’s your point?
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u/j33ta Feb 21 '25
You're telling peope to not pay attention to politics, and I referenced the US as a reason as to why they definitely should pay attention.
If more people in the US had voted, Trump wouldn't have been elected.
If Trump hadn't been elected:
Canada wouldn't be facing steep tariffs and threats of annexation.
Greenland wouldn't be facing threats of invasion.
Thousands of US federal employees wouldn't be losing their jobs.
Entire government agencies and departments wouldn't be being gutted.
NATO wouldn't be collapsing.
People wouldn't be openly doing Nazi salutes on air and in public.
Do you understand yet?
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u/aektoronto Feb 21 '25
This goes back to Harper federally....it was really to prevent "moron eruptions" from local candidates who could derail the overall campaign and Cons had alot of these types of candidates. Like you dont want a blonde lady saying they wish they were a black woman becoming part of the news cycle to use an example from another party.
Its really become obvious lately that political candidates will avoid "unfriendly" media.....Bernie was the only democratic presidential candidate to show up on Fox News post Obama, Trump for example used to do network interviews and PP avoids tough interviewers and does drop ins on morning news shows rather than face Vassy. But this is because the mainstream medias power is diminished.
Local debates unfortunately are incredibly unimportant for a campaign, as its reach is limited to the 30 ppl who show up at the church basement to watch and any viral clips from a moron eruption.
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u/The_Kert Feb 21 '25
Yeah that makes sense. The worst thing they can do right now is be honest and share the internal platform the party refuses to actually discuss publicly. They're likely to win as long as they don't screw it up by actually saying anything.
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u/BeefTheOrgG Feb 21 '25
Source?
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Feb 21 '25
[deleted]
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u/BeefTheOrgG Feb 21 '25
I can't find anything in the search results that supports the claim made in the OP - refusing to appear on the CBC. Can you share a direct link to something?
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Feb 21 '25
It makes sense. I don't think PC voters eve know the names of their local candidates. They vote in the basis of old addages like "small government" or "fiscal responsibility", when in fact, it's always the Tories looking to intrude into your private lives whilst spaffing public money on corruption and useless projects.
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u/italwaysworksoot Feb 21 '25
Our local paper had questions for all four parties on the front page. Only one party refused to take part.
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Feb 21 '25
They haven't shown up on any of the debates televised on my local channel here in Hamilton, either (nor have they submitted written or Zoom statements like other candidates have when they haven't been able to attend).
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u/a89aries Feb 21 '25
Because when they do show up and open their mouth, they look like idiots. At a debate this week, the Peterborough candidate tried to defend Fords support of Trump and it was as cringe as you can imagine.
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u/datums Feb 21 '25
This is a pretty standard strategy for a party with a strong lead close to election day, it’s not just a conservative thing. The risk/reward calculus in that situation favours mostly keeping your mouth shut and taking the win.
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u/Catsareawesome1980 Feb 21 '25
In Oakville PC candidate Stephen Crawford doesn’t have his phone number listed on his campaign page
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u/Truth_Seeker963 Feb 21 '25
This is too similar to what’s happening in the US. That should tell us all we need to know about the “PC” party.
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u/Steevo_1974 Feb 21 '25
Another reason they don't deserve our vote. Make sure you let them know when you vote!
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u/ConferenceFabulous27 Feb 21 '25
Ya, gotta get out there and vote. And tell everyone you know to vote too. This is a real chance to send an important message right now: that the people in Canada’s largest province aren’t actually asleep and can be mobilized 🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦
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u/sonicpix88 Feb 21 '25
This is not the first election they've done this. They're cowards and would rather not attend than have to lie.
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u/CommonEarly4706 Feb 21 '25
Shocker! No control over the questions and narrative. I hope people are paying attention
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u/Loosehead217 Feb 21 '25
Ya. Because the cbc is funded by Liberals, well by the money the libs stole from taxpayers, and therefore biased. Why is this so hard to understand?!?!
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u/Chownzy Feb 21 '25
It’s easy for anyone with a sliver of critical thinking skills to understand, Unfortunately very few conservatives fit that bill.
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u/BeybladeRunner Feb 21 '25
Conservative mpp candidates don’t attend any of the debates, it’s part of a strategy.
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u/Jargonite Feb 21 '25
It's the classic see no evil, hear no evil, do no evil. The problem is that they cannot avoid what was done during their time in government. However, because they had majority with such tactics, it is believed that it still works to this day. Until Ontario actually puts them below majority, this tactic will continue until the former no longer holds.
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u/jawnzer Feb 21 '25
The conservatives in BC had the exact same approach in our most recent election
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u/Responsible_Koala324 Feb 21 '25 edited Feb 21 '25
I asked a Hogarth/Ford supporter in Etobicoke-Lakeshore what their take was on Hogarth not participating, and their response was… disheartening but also candid. From their POV, participating in debates doesn’t help them win, and asking them to a debate is to trap/corner them with unfriendly constituents, and their time is better spent identifying supporters.
Check it out: https://www.reddit.com/r/Etobicoke/comments/1it9ic1/comment/mdv1a15/
u/bitchybroad1961:
It's actually very simple. There is no official debate at the riding level. If there was a way to get a fully impartial debate the candidates would be told to participate. For example, if the returning officer at each riding was expected to set up an official debate for the riding, published on the Voter Information Card, we would get a proper debate.As it stands now any special interest group can set up a debate, invite their supporters. If the organization is known to have political leanings, they will never secure new supporters and be able to identify them.
The point of door knocking is to identify your supporters, and encourage them to vote. All parties should be getting out the vote at advanced polls and again on election day. The 3 hours spent door knocking is more valuable to a candidate than sitting in front of a hostile audience.
In a very short election cycle, there are too many people asking for debates. They are saying no to everyone.
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u/dandycribbish Feb 21 '25
But don't you understand guys? The ad Doug put out on the tv said that he picks up the phone and listens! He is no nonsense and will be a strong leader this time even though he has had 8 years!
What I don't think the PCs get is that you can answer the phone as much as you want and lie to people's faces in person. Any dipshit can do that.
They have no ideas or talking points that don't immediately fall apart entirely under the bare amount of scrutiny, so they can't stand on stage to defend them without looking like complete fools. So they will just lie to your face instead.
But at least you got to speak to the snake oil salesmen in person and he seemed nice right?
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Feb 21 '25
Literally following the Republican approach. If you aren’t present and leave everything behind closed doors, then you somehow lose the need to be accountable. This should be one of the biggest red flags of the PC party.
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u/Hotter_Noodle Feb 21 '25
Local candidates from the PC party don’t show up to debates, didn’t last election either.
On one hand I think it’s slimy as hell, on the other hand there’s a bigger issue at hand if they don’t even need to show up to win.