Byelection kicks off with a ten-debate challenge

Amaroso invites rivals to 10 all-candidates debates, Krmpotich holds first press conference

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Random passerby Liz Heale stopped to shake the hand of NDP 2017 byelection candidate Joe Krmpotich at a press conference on the boardwalk on Thursday. Krmpotich's daughter and campaign-helper Jessica Krmpotich was at his side for the press conference, his first since the byelection date was called. Jeff Klassen/SooToday

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On Day 2 of the Sault Ste. Marie provincial byelection campaign, Liberal candidate Debbie Amaroso repeated her challenge to local party rivals to 10 all-candidates debates over the next 28 days.

NDP candidate Joe Krmpotich and Conservative candidate Ross Romano both said they’d answer any invitation to debate however there were questions about whether they could fit 10 debates in less than a month.

“We’re happy to attend as many debates as we can. Right now, I don’t know what the ten debates are. It seems high for a normal byelection campaign. I’ve seen three or four normally or in some rural ridings there might be five or six,” said Krmpotich’s campaign manager Joe Reilley.

Reilly said his team was aware of two debates in the works – one with the Chamber of Commerce and one with the Sault & Area Health Coalition – however neither has been confirmed with a firm date.

“It seems rather high, 10 in 28 days, but I’m happy to have as many debates as we can,” said Romano, who as of Thursday was unaware of any debates scheduled but said he might have missed an announcement since he was out all night putting up signs and all day knocking on doors.

Amaroso said 10 debates was not overkill.

“We only have a short amount of time to get the message out (and) it grants the opportunity of greater access for the community,” said Amaroso in a phone interview.

Amaroso said she feels, as the candidate of the current governing party, that she is better set to represent the Sault for at least as long as the Liberals are in power.

“It’s important that (my opponents) explain to the community that if they are not aligned with the government of the day, how are they going to better the situation for citizens of Sault Ste. Marie?” she said.

Also this morning, Krmpotich held his first press conference on the boardwalk near Station Mall.

When asked for three words to describe his campaign Krmpotich said ‘electricity, health, jobs’.

Krmpotich’s media conference largely focused on creating jobs with an emphasis on trying to bring ‘good sustainable’ ones for the Sault, and in particular, the city's youth.

Krmpotich also said he supports an NDP plan to cut hydro prices by 30 per cent, a plan that includes reversing the privatization of Hydro One.

When asked why Saultites should vote for a candidate outside the governing party, Krmpotich responded:

“Because a vote for me and a vote for NDP is a vote for working people, and that’s what we’re there to deliver.”