Responding to allegations that the Green Party of Ontario tried to negotiate a non-compete deal with the Liberals to get them not to run a candidate in this riding, MPP Graydon Smith referred to it as trying to manipulate the democratic process.
Smith was referring to an article published by Policorner on Wednesday, alleging that the Greens under leader Mike Schreiner had attempted to pitch the Liberals a deal. Allegedly, that deal would not have seen the Greens run candidates in five ridings in exchange for the Liberals not running a candidate in Parry Sound-Muskoka during the last election.
The article alleges the proposal was shut down by the Liberals who sent a paper candidate (also known as a no-hope candidate) to run in Parry Sound-Muskoka.
“The recent revelations that the Green Party of Ontario, led by Mike Schreiner and represented locally by Matt Richter, attempted to selfishly manipulate the democratic process in Parry Sound–Muskoka are deeply troubling. Proposing a backroom, quid pro quo to deprive voters in our riding and elsewhere of choice on the ballot is cynical and opportunistic,” stated Smith.
“This desperate move exposes just how far the Greens are willing to go, putting political gamesmanship ahead of integrity and fairness. For a party that constantly claims to ‘do politics differently’ and condemns ‘backroom deals,’ this behavior is the height of hypocrisy. It betrays the trust of voters who expect transparency and honesty,” he added.
Doppler reached out to Green Party Deputy Leader and candidate for this riding in the last election, Matt Richter, for comment, but did not receive a response on time.
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The Ford government is the epitome of backroom deals. For Graydon Smith to now protest back room deals is a bad joke. Smith should remind voters as to who is being investigated for the greenbelt land scandal before accusing anyone of not having integrity and transparency.