No fire at Meet the Candidates night

Moderator Scott Clark goes over the rules with the candidates.

Chamber officials didn’t get the full room they were hoping for Tuesday night, as four contenders vying for the job of MPP squared off during the "Meet the Candidates" event at the Legion.

Chairman Mark King, who was disappointed with the turn out, says he is not sure if it is the format that is tired, as it doesn’t allow real debate, and prevents people from truly participating; or if there is just no appetite for an election with voters in North Bay.

"I think really there is a lot of apathy out there in the general public, and I don't think people are totally interested in what's happening," he states.

"And that's really too bad because whoever wins the election is here for another four years."

King admits he would like to future events offer a lot more fire in it, but feels it is the best way to accommodate each candidate.

While the Family Coalition Party candidate Suzanne Plouffe made her debut, nothing new was offered up to the voting public.

The retired nurse joined Liberal candidate Monique Smith, Conservative candidate Bill Vrebosch, and NDP candidate Henri Giroux to answer prepared questions covering the general issues of health care, education and jobs.

No one landed a real knockout punch during the two hour event, but sparks did fly over Highway 11. Smith once again confirming that the project is on time and on budget, while Vrebosch questioned with the fast movement on the Highway 69 four-laning project if Northern Development and Mines Minister Rick Bartolucci and Sudbury had once again won the battle of the North.

“The Conservative party held power for 42 years and it wasn’t done, they were back for another 8 years and it still wasn’t done,” Smith said aiming squarely at Vrebosch

“We’re getting it done.”

Giroux said it will be an "orange" ribbon cutting ceremony when the road is completed and that North Bay and Nipissing better come out ahead.

Meanwhile Plouffe had very little to add to the exchange, she passed on offering comment on a majority of the issues except to when it came to Long Term Health dollars where she blamed abortions for tying up the dollars.

Following the prepared questions audience members that were mostly partisan had an opportunity to ask their questions that varied from the referendum MMP question, standardised testing, faith based schools and public transportation.

Green Party candidate Amy Brownridge was not in attendance and may not be in the riding at all before the election.