With the federal election campaign now entering week two, things continue to heat up between Green MP Blair Wilson and Conservative John Weston.On Friday, Sept. 12, Weston opened up his campaign office in Sechelt and took a few pointed shots at Wilson calling into question his leadership abilities and his integrity.
"The Green party welcomed Blair Wilson into their party with open arms, choosing political opportunism over political judgement that benefits us Canadians and that again is not leadership," said Weston. "The choice in this riding is clear. You can choose between an individual who has allegedly represented Sechelt and the Sunshine Coast and has been absent or simply not done his job, or somebody in my own case, in the last three and a half years that has been attending meetings, attending events and done everything I could to learn the issues and meet the people here on the Sunshine Coast."
Weston said so far in the campaign, he sees three issues, leadership, integrity and a voice in government as keys to an election win.
"People have been telling me as I go around this riding that they want to send a representative to Ottawa that will speak the truth and act on behalf of constituents and not on behalf of themselves," added Weston. "We need to send someone who will likely be on the government's side and who will ensure we get things done for this riding."
Wilson said these negative comments and attacks by Weston represent a style of campaigning that he totally rejects.
"The election on Oct. 14 is far too important to waste voters' time on unsubstantiated and untrue personal attacks. As the many thousands of people who supported me in 2006 know full well, that's simply not my style," said Wilson. "What's important in this election is that the people of this riding are represented in Parliament by someone who understands their values and will ensure that their voice continues to be heard in Ottawa. We will lose that voice if we send someone to Parliament who will support the type of policies that most of us in this riding rejected in 2006. I have no doubt that Green party values are closer to the majority of people in the riding than those of any other party," he said.
Wilson said certain opponents are attempting to take cheap shots at him because the 'Green wave' that is sweeping the country is making them nervous."They apparently believe that slinging mud is the only way to hurt the Green party. It seems that they want to silence me in the same way that attempts were made to silence Green party leader, Elizabeth May, by keeping her out of the leaders debates," said Wilson. "Before accepting me as a member, Elizabeth May and her senior advisers carefully reviewed my personal, business and financial background. They were more than satisfied with my record and my character and welcomed me into a party where we all share values like sustainability, non-violence, participatory democracy, respect for diversity and ecological wisdom.
- With files from Whistler Question
