The FAIRPORT BEACH NEIGHBOURHOOD ASSOCIATION (FBNA) presented an ALL CANDIDATES PANEL on April 24… for the most part, a soundly structured presentation but with some disappointments.
The GOOD
The FBNA deserves much praise for having the initiative to do such a presentation. It took time, energy and effort and kudos to all the FBNA members involved, particularly Craig Bamford, Shawna Stanleigh and the other members who were present to assist in the smooth operation of the event.
The panel presentation was efficient and effective, moderated by Pickering Library Chair, Akim Maginley, who clearly laid out the mechanics of the presentation in his welcome: intro of panelists, opening remarks, posing of submitted questions with panel responses, closing remarks, Q&A session.
The entire presentation was efficiently run maintaining courtesy and professionalism throughout. Some TV networks could take lessons from this panel discussion.
An excellent job.
A summary with commentary
Only two parties participated in this exercise of local democracy: LIBERALS, Juanita Nathan and NDP, Jamie Nye. This is absolutely shameful and the audience of more than 100 were visibly disappointed with this poor participation.
No shows
CONSERVATIVES, Alicia Vianga*
PEOPLES PARTY OF CANADA, Lisa Robinson, had a planned event for her party, riding
GREEN PARTY, Andrea Wood, notified she was ill
CENTRIST PARTY, Zaina Rana*
The marked candidates made no response to the invitation to this panel as far as we know. Particularly shameful is the CONSERVATIVE no show. This is one of the major parties, polling strongly nationally, a party that should have been there. Shameful.
President of FBNA, another no show
Another surprising late show was President of the FBNA, Paul White. He may have masterminded the presentation but his absence from its start was disappointing. His executive put in so much effort and energy into the presentation but he did not see as warranting a ‘must attend‘ on hisa calendar. Disappointing.
Other neighbourhood association membrs attended the presentation and it is disappointing that they did not do something similar to this FBNA event. Praise for President White encouraging his members as active supporters of democracy in Canada and support for Canadian voters. Give him credit for that.
The summary
Nathan, LIBERAL, began her presentation with hesitancy and seemingly little confidence. However, as the presentation developed and unfolded, Nathan grew stronger, answering the posed questions with increasing confidence, specific facts, clear policies and informative explanations.
Nye, NDP, never seemed to find his ‘sea legs,’ often faltering and confused, seeming to be bewildered as the presentation progressed. He was the first to ask for a repetition of the posed question and it was not the only time he requested this repetition. Nye recovered eventually, calling out specific references to the importance of third parties and the beneficial legacies of the federal NDP with its minority government successes regarding medicare, dentacare and childcare. Solid points. Definitely important consideratons in voting.
A troubling aspect of Nathan’s candidacy is that she is not a Pickering resident as far as we know, but is a parachuted candidate from Markham, as is Vianga. This discrepancy was evident numerous times when she made references to Markham and her long time professional career there. Nye, on the other hand, underlined that he had lived in various parts of Canada but always returned to the Pickering area as his primary residence.
The Canadian voter’s enigma: local candidate vs federal leader
The Canadian electoral system is disadvantageous for voters. One must vote for the local candidate rather than the federal leader. If one prioritizes the federal leaders, the voter must overlook the local candidates’ strengths or flaws. Should the voter be particularly supportive of the local candidate, that candidate could belong to a party the voter does not support. An electoral enigma for Canadians, one which the federal government had promised to remodel and transform. It did not.
There is another problem with Canada’s political system. Successful local candidates have little say in Ottawa. They are back benchers, political ‘nobodies’ who can affect no actual changes and likely nothing that is of relative local value. In fact, they can languish in this political desert their entire term of office, getting nowhere, affecting no government policies except to be one vote of 343. Unless they are powerful personalities or have some notable dynamic that puts them in the foreground, they may wander the political desert their entire term of office.
The voter choice is difficult for voters in the Pickering-Brooklin constituency. “No show” candidates at the FBNA presentation should still be considered. Not giving the ‘no show’ candidate a consideration may be jumping to an unfair conclusion. They may have had legitmate reasons for not attending. A tough call.
Based on what was said and how it was said at the panel presentation, the ultimate choice is very difficult. At some point, both candidates rose to the occasion offering positive and valuable information and both presented well. But each faltered some for various reasons. Nathan is not local. Nye has difficulty with self-conviction.
However, there is one certainty from this presentation. Both Nathan and Nye are sincere and committed candidates. Each deserves serious consideration for your vote.
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Again, kudos and kompliments to all the participants, both candidates, the organizers and the audience of this presentation. You are great Canadians in your active participation and support of our country this way. Bravo !
