Political experts say Ontario PC candidates strategically dodging local debates

Ontario Progressive Conservative candidates are being called out for not attending local debates or responding to media requests for interviews.

Political experts say it’s a strategy, but it’s also disrespectful. Voters haven’t seen much of any PC candidate throughout this election campaign.

“They’re not responding to media requests for interviews. That’s really unusual during an election campaign,” political analyst Keith Leslie said.

Only two of the eight PC candidates in Hamilton and Niagara are participating in local debates. They are candidates we are already familiar with, Donna Skelly in Flamborough Glanbook and Sam Oosterhoff in Niagara West.

Political science associate professor Peter Graefe says this is all a strategy. It all comes down to controlling the message and avoiding errors.

“If you have 28 evenings to go and meet voters. You’re going to get a lot more accomplished by knocking on doors for two hours than sitting in a community hall with 80 people who probably made up their mind,” Graefe said.

The first Hamilton debate is tonight, featuring candidates from Flamborough-Glanbrook. You can watch the debate on the CHCH News Youtube channel.