Libertarian candidate excluded from Chamber debate by David Lea Oakville Beaver Staff 3 | Friday, September 4, 2015 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | www.insideHALTON.com The Oakville Chamber of Commerce has excluded Oakville-North Burlington Libertarian candidate David Clement from participating in its upcoming debate after some Chamber members reportedly referred to the inclusion of similar fringe parties as "a waste of time." Clement learned he would not be allowed to participate in the Oct. 6 all-candidates event in an email exchange with Chamber President John Sawyer. In the email, Sawyer noted the Chamber would only be inviting registered candidates from political parties that have a seat or seats in the House of Commons and/or the support of a minimum of 2 per cent of the population. Sawyer emphasized there are 20 registered parties in this election campaign including the Pirate Party and the Rhinoceros Party. While neither of these parties has registered candidates in Oakville-North Burlington, he said, if the Chamber allowed Clement to participate this would open the door for all other emerging fringe party candidates to attend. This explanation did not sit well with Clement who, to the best of his knowledge, is the only candidate excluded from the debate thus far. "It is really shameful that the Chamber would exclude only one candidate from the debate," said Clement in a press release. "I think that the business community of Oakville and Burlington should hear the economic platform we have, and I wish that the Chamber shared that opinion." Sawyer said the Chamber did not make the decision lightly. In the past, he said, the Chamber hosted all candidates and as a result it received com- plaints from its members. "We heard comments like `it was a waste of time,' `they took away the opportunity to hear from those (parties) that have a real chance at being elected,' `they spoke on issues that were of little or no interest to the attendees,'" said Sawyer. He noted in the 2011 federal election the Libertarian Party received just 0.04 per cent of the popular vote. Sawyer said the Chamber will post material for all registered candidates, including Clement, on its website so residents can learn more see Clement p. 9 inside today's Editorial Sports Beaver www.insideHALTON.com Holland Park Garden Oakville Learning Centre Real Estate New Homes City Parent 6 26 Arts Classified 25 28 *All flyers not necessarily delivered to all homes For home delivery & customer service call 905-631-6095, 5300 Harvester Rd., Burlington New subscriptions call 905-631-6095 or subscribe online at www.oakvillebeaver.com it's all about colour. crisp air, changing leaves and refreshing styles. experience fine, european mensWear collections, expert alterations and professional advice, right in the heart of oakville's heritage core. come see What's neW in store for the season. www.insidehalton.com Sore Feet, Sports Injury, Painful Ingrown Toenails? Plantar Warts? We can help! Exceptional footcare for all ages. · Routine footcare · Corns & calluses · Plantar warts · Heel/arch/foot pain · Diabetic footcare and education · Thick or ingrown nails · Nail surgery · Sports related foot problems & injuries · Custom made orthotics · Sigvaris® compression stockings · Evenings and saturday appointments available · New patients welcome! J. Richard Werkman chiropodist fall at burroWs. We Treat the Unwanted Benefits of Summer Jobs... Ingrown Toenails, Warts, Athletes Foot! located on the north/west corner of maple grove dr. and cornwall rd. 1495 Cornwall Rd., Suite 33, Oakville www.werkman.ca 905.842.0232 burrowsclothiers.com 200 lakeshore road e, oakville giorgio armani . brunello cucinelli . hugo boss . belstaff . etro . boglioli T: 905-845-4817 Don't Compromise on Driver Training upComing Courses september 12, 13, 19, 20 2 Weekends 9:30 am to 3:30 pm september 22, 24, 29 october 1,6,8,13,15 4 Weeks/evenings 6:00 pm to 8:30 pm october 3, 4,17,18 2 Weekends (no class thanksgiving weekend) 9:30 am to 3:30 pm Located in Downtown Oakville for over 25 years! www.drivewiseoakville.com 905-845-7200