Todd Doherty’s campaign schedule was set in June, which has resulted in him not being able to attend some all candidates forums, he says.
The Cariboo-Prince George Conservative candidate has come under fire for missing two all candidates forums so far … the Stand Up for the North forum in Prince George and a Council of Canadians forum in Williams Lake last week. Prince George-Peace River Conservative candidate Bob Zimmer also did not attend the Prince George forum, which was for both ridings.
“There are debates that we have been unable to attend due to scheduling conflicts,” Doherty posted on his Facebook page after the Williams Lake forum. “This is no more an indication of our unwillingness to attend, rather it is a statement of our commitment to ensure to meet as many of our regional families in settings that are more comfortable and accessible to them.”
All five of the other candidates in the riding — New Democrat Trent Derrick, Liberal Tracy Calogheros, independent Sheldon Clare, Green Richard Jaques, and Christian Heritage Party candidate Adam De Kroon — have attended the two forums Doherty has missed.
Doherty says he will be attending forums in Vanderhoof on Oct. 2, Quesnel Oct. 6, Prince George Oct. 8 and 13, and Williams Lake Oct. 15.
That means he will miss at least two more forums, a CBC forum Sept. 30 in Prince George and a second Stand Up For a The North forum Oct. 7.
Conservative candidates across the country are coming under fire for choosing not to attend all candidate forums.