A meet the candidates debate set for next Tuesday sponsored by the North Bay and District Chamber of Commerce and YourTV North Bay should include all the candidates running in Nipissing.

So says Trevor Holliday, the Northern Ontario Party leader and candidate locally.

He says he’s been told he’s not included and finds that undemocratic.

“Where has the democracy gone when it comes to elections. Why is that if a person runs as an independent candidate or with a smaller party they can’t be heard when it comes to debate time,” he says.

We reached YourTV North Bay for comment.

Joey Roussy is the local Manager of Programming and Community Relations.

He issued a statement that says “YourTV is offering air-time to all candidates in the upcoming election. Free time messages will be aired as part of our programming and posted to our website so that all candidates can get their message out. In addition to free time messages, YourTV will also invite the main parties to participate in debate programming. Our position is consistent with The Broadcasting Act and CRTC Regulations governing elections.”

Four candidates, representing the Liberals, Progressive Conservatives, New Democrats and Green Party have been invited to the event at École secondaire publique Odyssée.