Paul Vickers. (image from BGOS PC Riding Association)
The Progressive Conservative candidate in Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound says he will be attending some all candidates meetings in the riding, after declining to take part in one focused on healthcare this week.
Paul Vickers says he passed on participating in the Grey Bruce Health Coalition organized all candidates meeting Monday to focus on canvassing.
“The reason why I decided not to attend the debate is I am putting a lot of effort going door to door and canvassing. I think so far, we have knocked on about 3,000 doors in Grey and Bruce Counties and I just feel that is a better use of my time,” Vickers says. “You actually get to talk to people that are open-minded and they are willing to listen to you and it is a two-way conversation. I want to hear what they have to say, and they want to hear what I have to say on behalf of the PC Party.”
He says his decision to not attend the all candidate meeting was not a directive from the Ontario PC Party.
“We made the decision here in the office and that is what we went with,” says Vickers.
Moving forward, Vickers says he plans to attend a couple all candidates meetings.
“I am not committing to any and all the all candidates meetings. There is quite a few and again I want to use my time door knocking and getting out to meet the voters and in the riding,” says Vickers.
Voters will head to the polls in Ontario in two weeks on Feb. 27.
In addition to Vickers, others running for major parties in Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound are Liberal Selwyn Hicks, James Cameron Harris of the NDP and Joel Loughead for the Greens. There are also a few confirmed candidates from smaller political parties.