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Published: September 23, 2008 3:00 PMUpdated: September 23, 2008 3:00 PM
The first casualty in war, and politics, is the truth.
John Duncan, the Conservative candidate for Vancouver Island North in the current federal election, declined an invitation to participate in an all-candidates’ meeting (ACM) called by the Comox Valley chapter of the Council of Canadians (CoC).
Duncan said he has committed to eight ACMs. Vancouver Island North is a huge riding that stretches from the Comox Valley to Port Hardy, so logistics and scheduling are no doubt a factor.
The CoC alleges Duncan refused to attend because it is a special-interest group. It is a left-wing special-interest group whose ACM audience would surely hold Duncan’s feet to the fire, no doubt a disincentive for him to attend.
You could argue another CoC that organizes ACMs, the Chamber of Commerce, is a special-interest group advocating business issues. Chambers of Commerce make no bones about the fact they emphasize business issues, although they typically do not overtly endorse right-of-centre political candidates.
The Council of Canadians unabashedly promotes a left-wing agenda that supports water protection and health care while resisting the privatization of public services, tar sands oil extraction, fish farming, genetically modified food and deep integration with the U.S.
In a news release criticizing Duncan for spurning its ACM, the Council of Canadians reminded us it is a non-partisan group.
Council members, at least in the Valley, should look in their mirrors on that point. Their position on issues is virtually identical to the NDP’s.
The Council invites people to an election discussion Thursday at 7 p.m. at the BCGEU office in Courtenay.
Vancouver Island North candidates will participate in ACMs hosted Oct. 6 by the Cumberland Chamber and Oct. 7 by the Comox Valley Chamber of Commerce.
Let the truth begin. editor@comoxvalleyrecord.com
