Maguire ducks election debates

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This article was published 13/11/2013 (4316 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

BRANDON — Brandon-Souris Conservative candidate Larry Maguire snubbed students and jilted aboriginal voters Tuesday, part of a Tory pattern of ducking debates in both Manitoba byelections.

Maguire was slated to attend the race’s first all-candidates forum at the mostly-aboriginal Brandon Friendship Centre Tuesday afternoon. At the last minute late Monday afternoon, Maguire’s campaign staff cancelled.

“I was really shocked and disappointed,” said Lyndon Bournon, the friendship centre’s adult education co-ordinator. “I’m pretty confident this is not the first time.”

Bournon said he negotiated a date that worked for all five candidates three weeks ago. Green party candidate David Neufeld even rejigged his schedule to attend.

Also Monday, Maguire pulled out of next week’s debate organized by Brandon University students, meant to boost voter turnout among young people. Maguire’s staff cited a scheduling conflict.

“It’s really unfortunate it happened,” said BU students union president Stephanie Bachewich. “We’re definitely disappointed he won’t be able to attend.”

It’s the latest stumble for the Conservative campaign. Maguire, a veteran of the Manitoba legislature, should be a shoo-in to win the traditionally Tory riding. Instead, a confusing nomination drama alienated many Conservative voters early on, and two credible polls have Maguire trailing his Liberal challenger, Rolf Dinsdale. The messy race, and the possibility of a Grit upset, has put Brandon-Souris in the national spotlight.

Maguire’s staff said he had appointments in the southern part of the riding Tuesday. “Meeting with voters from across the constituency is a priority,” said an email from the campaign office. “Unfortunately, co-ordinating Larry’s schedule with those of our campaign team’s volunteers sometimes poses a challenge.”

Maguire will attend two other debates next week, including the major event at the Keystone Centre hosted by local media.

Maguire is not the only Tory to sidestep debates. In the Provencher riding, where a byelection is also underway to replace cabinet minister Vic Toews, Conservative candidate Ted Falk has skirted all three planned debates.

The Steinbach Chamber of Commerce typically hosts the biggest one, but it fizzled when Falk’s staff offered only one possible date, which the chamber couldn’t make work.

Two other debates, including one today at Providence University College, will be held without Falk.

Voters in the two ridings go to the polls Nov. 25.

maryagnes.welch@freepress.mb.ca