Local NDP candidate Kurt Stoll says he will not attend an all-candidates meeting in Cobden next Wednesday because of the “unacceptable” values of its host organizations.
The all-candidates meeting is slated to be held at the Astrolabe Arena in Cobden on Wednesday, May 25, organized by the local chapters of the Ontario Landowners Association and “Action4Canada.”
In a statement Saturday, Stoll said he has declined the invitation to attend and said it’s his position that “Action4Canada and the Ontario Landowners Association (OLA), and what these organizations represent, stand in direct contrast to the values of New Democrats.”
“In 2018, the local chapter of the OLA claimed that the 2018 municipal election in the Whitewater Region was not lawful, despite not having any evidence of this,” he said in the statement.
“In 2019, they hosted a ‘5G Expert Panel’ event to spread unproven conspiracy theories about the technology.”
“Most concerning,” Stoll said, is “their outright attacks against marginalized communities.”
“Action4Canada has claimed that the 2SLGBTQIA+ community is targeting and indoctrinating children. They’ve also expressed racist and Islamophobic views, with their website stating that ‘no matter what country moderate, or progressive, Muslims enter… the Radicals always follow’.”
“I will not be attending the debate,” Stoll said.
“We deserve an MPP that will stand with all residents of our riding. The attacks on the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, blatant Islamophobia, and history of conspiracy theories with these two groups are not only in contrast to my values and the values of the NDP party, but they are completely unacceptable.
“I would like to encourage my fellow candidates not to attend this debate. As leaders, we should not be attending events held by groups with these views.”
In lieu of attending the debate, Stoll said he will be hosting a meet and greet event on Saturday, May 28 from 1 to 3 pm at the Cobden Legion.
May 28 will also be the date of a “general assembly” and barbecue fundraiser for “A4C (Action4Canada) Renfrew County” in Eganville.
The slogan for Action4Canada is “Protecting Faith, Family and Freedom” and the poster for the barbecue fundraiser is headed “Reclaim Canada – Protecting our Children.”
On the national website for Action4Canada, the group says “the LGBTQ” have been “hijacked by radical activists who are attacking the core freedoms and rights of all Canadians.”
“The political activists are not interested in equal rights, diversity, or inclusion. Their objective is forced compliance and acceptance of their adult sexual proclivities and ideologies.”
Likewise, the website says “political Islam” is a “threat to the sovereignty and security of the Western world.”
“Progressive Muslims, Christians, and other non-Islamists are fleeing Islamic nations due to threat of the radical and violent nature of political radical Islam. Western nations are challenged with the task of finding a way to separate radical extremists from the modern Muslim.”
The website says the “radicals” have the “power, money, and intent to bring the destruction. Their goal is world domination… one nation at a time.”
In their announcement of the all-candidates meeting, the Landowners Association and A4C Renfrew County said all seven local candidates have been invited.
Long-time Conservative MPP John Yakabuski is facing off in this election against Stoll of the New Democrats, Oliver Jacob of the Ontario Liberals, and Anna Dolan of the Green Party of Ontario.
Also registered as candidates in the riding are Ontario Party candidate Kade MacWilliams, Thomas O’Connor of the “New Blue” party, and Murray Reid of the Confederation of Regions Party.
Election Day is June 2. Advance polls are open through the long weekend until Tuesday, May 24.
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