What keeps David Wilks from attending All Candidate debates?
NELSON September 17th – More is
being revealed about Kootenay Columbia incumbent MP David Wilks’ debate strategy,
says NDP candidate Wayne Stetski.
“First, David Wilks claimed that he didn’t need to attend
all the debates, because he won the last election without attending all the
debates,” said Stetski. “He had a winning strategy in 2011, and he was going to
repeat that strategy and win again in 2015.
“When asked to participate in a process that made it easier
for community organizers to ensure that all the candidates could attend, David
Wilks said he was too busy making funding announcements to think about a debate
schedule.”
The reaction to these statements by the public was scathing,
both in traditional and social media, with constituents and other candidates
saying that this attitude was absolutely unacceptable.
“Second, David Wilks admitted that maybe he did need to
commit to attending debates, so he made an edict that he would only attend
debates that were hosted by the Chamber of Commerce, and all questions had to
be submitted to the organizers in advance.
“Every other candidate wanted to take questions from the
floor. We wanted to have answers and rebuttals. And we were open to having
debates organized by a range of community organizations. But David Wilks said
no.”
A number of other debates were also organized that didn’t
meet David Wilks’ strict requirements for participation, organized around
important issues and by non-partisan groups. Because an election is about
discussing all issues with all people, all three other candidates agreed to
attend the MIR Centre Forum on Peace, Security and Climate Change in Nelson, a
debate on First Nation Issues in Cranbrook, and a Youth Focussed Debate hosted
by the Junior Chamber in Cranbrook.
“In a CBC Daybreak interview, David Wilks claimed that he
was attending all the debates,” continued Stetski. “He said that last election
he was new to the process and needed to pace himself – that’s why he didn’t
attend all the debates.
“But this election, he says he’s ready to attend them all.
Unfortunately, that statement isn’t true. He’s only attending the debates he
thinks he can control.”
What do the MIR Centre Forum, the First Nations debate and
the Junior Chamber debate have in common? It is simple. These debates involve
answering questions that cannot be controlled. The formats for these debates
include either unscripted questions from attendees, or questions submitted by
other candidates.
“Mr. Wilks’ excuses are simply an insult to voters,”
declared Stetski. “He began by saying he didn’t have to attend to win. Then he
said he’s too busy to commit. Followed by a demand for strict rules in order
for him to agree to attend. Followed by bizarre statements about how he was not
ready to attend all debates when he first ran.
“And now to be making completely false, and immediately
disproven, statements on the radio the morning after he has skipped a debate,
is just too much. I cannot imagine that even the most committed Conservative
would think that David Wilks’ behavior is defensible in this case.”
Editor's comment:
At this time Mr Wilks has now confirmed his attendance at this first all candidates debate
At this time Mr Wilks has now confirmed his attendance at this first all candidates debate
The
First All Candidates Debate
on
Aboriginal
Issues
Ktunaxa
Nation Gymnasium
September
23, 2015
6:00
p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Moderator: Joe Pierre Jr.
Confirmed:
David
Wilks, Conservative Party
Bill
Green, Green Party
Don
Johnston, Liberal Party
Wayne Stetski,
New Democratic Party
All
Are Welcome
For
information contact
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