Conservative candidate Diane Finley missed three candidate meetings within the last 10 days but had explanations for each.
Earlier this week, she told The Chronicle that she had a long standing personal commitment on Oct. 2, the date of the Dunnville candidate meeting. She believed she told a reporter this was the case during an interview two weeks ago.
When pressed for further details given comments made at the meeting, she emphasized that it was personal and would stay as such.
On Oct. 4, Christian Heritage Party candidate Steve Elgersma, Liberal candidate Eric Hoskins, Green Party candidate Stephana Johnston and independent candidate Gary McHale participated in a televised Hamilton Spectator and Cable 14 debate.
Challenged by a reporter who said she was the first to commit to the debate, Finley told media that she was receiving up to three requests a day to attend events. Pressed further, she said, "I'm not always in charge of my schedule."
On Oct. 6, she missed a Simcoe Rotary Club candidate meeting. On that day, Conservative finance minister Jim Flaherty made a stop in Caledonia with her by his side. He told an audience of 30 that Finley was a strong voice on the Caledonia issue.
During his visit and at the Caledonia meeting on Oct. 6, Finley provided more information about her actions. Prior to that, residents did not know that she took input to appropriate officials and people had their wish fulfilled in prevention of certain activities or reactions.
On Labour Day when a small group of Six Nations people blocked Argyle Street South, the MP called Indian and Northern Affairs minister Chuck Strahl to keep in apprised of the situation.
After learning that the Lambton Shores municipality paid all OPP costs related to the Ipperwash crisis, Finley made sure $10 million in federal cash was provided to cover Haldimand's policing costs for part of 2006.
At Dunnville's Oct. 2 meeting, some candidates capitalized on Finley's absence. Hoskins said she needs to be there on the land claims dispute issue. An audience member yelled, "That's right!"
When asked if candidates would find their way back to Dunnville if elected, Hoskins said that everyone knows that question was an expression of frustration about the time Finley spent in the riding. "It's further evidenced by the fact that she couldn't find the time to come here tonight," he said.
The audience responded with whistles and applause.
Hoskins, who is a doctor, labelled one question a zinger. It asked why he was not practising medicine in the county. Admitting he could be seeing up to 600 patients, he told the audience he could do more in parliament by addressing nurse and doctor shortages and long term care and financial assistance for medications.
"A lot of people told me by the way that if I can beat Diane and get her out of this riding, we're probably all of us going to have a lot fewer headaches," he said.
The audience erupted with its loudest applause of the evening mixed with laughter, whistles and cheers.
In response, Elgersma was groaned at when he came to Finley's defence saying she might have had a serious commitment. Years ago he missed a meeting to attend his son's wedding but the meeting moderator did not announce this information.
A man bellowed, "Well at least you explained yourself!" Amid laughter a woman called out, "How about every other function she's never been at?"
Not one to miss out, McHale said the early election call gave voters an earlier opportunity to get rid of an MP that didn't represent them.
If people are going to protest the Caledonia issue with their vote, Hoskins asked them to make it count. Voting for any of the other candidates is a vote for Finley so he wanted people to help him get into office so he could make a difference on important issues.
After the meeting, Alexis Hedley said she did not understand why Finley did not reveal what her prior commitment was. The Dunnville woman added that the MP's absence indicated what she thought about the people who were providing her with a job. Tom Hunter was left wondering if she had a legitimate reason and Steve Strong felt she should have attended because she has most of her support in Dunnville and people wanted to see her.
Simcoe resident Rene Peekstok also believed Finley should have explained herself and thought she missed out on offering her ideas on important issues.
Caledonia resident Brian Hagan was disappointed because her action could be interpreted as neglect. Darrell Doxtdator also from Caledonia said her absence speaks volumes in a community known to give Conservatives their support.
Dunnville chamber president Carolyn Chymko felt Finley should have attended to be accountable but hoped her previous commitment was a priority. The MP's absence also indicated that Dunnville is on the bottom of the list but Chymko hoped the riding representative elected on Oct. 14 will remember the town. In turn, she wanted people to use their voice and vote.