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LETTER: Where is Newmarket-Aurora's Conservative candidate?

Being absent from key democratic engagement like all-candidates meetings is disrespectful to voters, Newmarket letter writer says
2021-09-01 Ballot box
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Aurora Chamber of Commerce all-candidates meeting
Progressive Conservative candidate for Newmarket- Aurora Dawn Gallagher Murphy - absent.

Aurora Library all-candidates meeting
Progressive Conservative candidate for Newmarket-Aurora Dawn Gallagher Murphy - absent

Newmarket Chamber of Commerce/NewmarketToday all-candidates meeting - NewRoads Theatre May 19
Progressive Conservative candidate for Newmarket-Aurora Aurora Dawn Gallagher Murphy - declined

Three opportunities to provide voters with information about why they should vote for a candidate and the candidate is absent each time.

Elections are a key component of democracy and one of the few moments in which voters can express their choice of government and can learn about their candidates and their parties' platforms. All-candidate meetings and debates are a fundamental component of this process.

By absenting herself, Ms. Gallagher Murphy is not only denying voters an opportunity to listen and compare the various choices of candidates but is also stating that the local candidate does not matter. No need to learn about the candidate, just listen to the provincial campaign. She does not have skills to demonstrate, she does not have opinions, she has no agency, she is merely a name on a ballot, a cardboard cutout standing in for a party.

Ms. Gallagher Murphy and all candidates who do not participate in all-candidates meetings do a disservice to their prospective constituents and to the democratic process. Voters need to know who they are voting for and why they should be sent to represent them at Queen’s Park.

Being absent from key democratic engagement like all-candidates meetings is disrespectful to voters.

Russ Coles, Newmarket