Conservative incumbent Kerry-Lynne Findlay chose not to participate in a federal election candidates town hall held Wednesday in White Rock.
A statement released by her campaign Wednesday morning said Findlay was staying away from the afternoon event at St. John's Presbyterian Hall due to a "commitment to fairness, transparency, and respectful dialogue throughout this campaign."
Describing the town hall as a "Canadian Association of Retired Persons (CARP) event" the statement said that the moderator, Ramona Kaptyn, "CARP Chief Advocacy and Communications Officer for Western Canada and former local chair" had shown "clear partiality" in photographs and posts circulating on social media.
The Findlay campaign statement said Kaptyn's posts "visibly underscore her aggressive stance and overt support for the local Liberal candidate, including language urging that we 'unseat' the sitting MP. This imagery not only highlights a partisan agenda but also serves as a reminder that every voter deserves an unbiased forum for public discourse."
"I don't know what they're talking about," Kaptyn responded when contacted by Peace Arch News Wednesday morning.
She added she viewed the statement as an attack on her "professionalism" as a moderator, a role she said she has filled impartially in other all-candidates events, including during the last provincial election.
Kaptyn also took issue with Findlay's campaign's reference to the town hall as a "CARP event" – noting that it was co-sponsored by three other organizations – the National Association of Federal Retirees (Fraser Valley West chapter), the Semiahmoo Seniors' Network and Brella Community Services – in addition to CARP.
An offer to the Findlay campaign to have an alternative moderator for the town hall was rejected, Kaptyn said later, following the town hall.
"They replied that she was at another event... that she had another engagement. (But) she knew about our event for weeks."
"Everyone booed loudly when they learned she did not come because I was would be the moderator, and that we had even informed her that we could make a switch."
She said she found the Findlay campaign accusations "insulting," noting that all the formal questions at the town hall had been provided to candidates ahead of the event.
"I don't know what I could do that would influence that. I think she just doesn't want seniors to ask her questions from the floor."
She also said that, contrary to the Findlay campaign statement, in addition to resigning as local CARP chair in October, she was no longer on the national board of CARP.
"When I post on my Facebook page, I'm perfectly able to do that as a private individual," Kaptyn said.
"When I'm posting, it's as Ramona Kaptyn – I'm not speaking (on behalf) of CARP."
Findlay's campaign statement said that Findlay would be dedicating her time to direct engagement with the community – including discussing conservatives support for helping make seniors' lives "more affordable" through open office sessions on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
It also said she would be participating in the April 15 all-candidates event hosted by the Surrey Board of Trade (and the South Surrey White Rock Chamber of Commerce).
Findlay's open office sessions will take place every Tuesday from 3:30 PM to 5:30 PM and every Thursday from 4:30 PM to 6:30 PM at 1656 Martin Drive, Surrey.
