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.
Don’t miss out on Doppler!
Sign up here to receive our email digest with links to our most recent stories.
Local news in your inbox so you don’t miss anything!
Click here to support local news
What a compliment for Graydon to see that he is worth at least five liberals
This sad tale has been outed as a result of the raging Ontario Liberal party civil war between Nathan Erskine Smith and Bonnie Crombie. Desperate as each of them are to win, they’re not desperate enough to look for help from the very small and insignificant Green party.
Doug Ford in his third majority government is currently sitting 38% higher in approval rating than what Kathleen Wynne could manage
All is well. Speaking only for myself, I am very much looking forward to helping to defeat the greens a third time in 2029
I agree wholeheartedly with Ms.Tanaka.
Mr Smith won the last election with approximately 46% of the vote (notably less than 50%) and approximately 25% of the eligible vote. From my perspective (political and personal), Mr Smith has done nothing to represent the 54% who did not vote for him.
I believe that the vast majority of PS-Muskans are against tearing up farmland and spending $10 BILLION + in general tax revenues to save GTA commuters less than 1 minute a commute. I certainly believe the vast majority don’t want a $50 BILLION + 401 tunnel. All this while the actual constituents are suffering from a stress health care system, housing affordability, under funded education etc. Add to this list are the policy surprises which Ms Tanaka listed.
To be honest, if Mr Smith isn’t going to consult with his constituents and vote accordingly, it is hard to stomach his crying foul in the name of democracy. ethics or fairness.
,
This is the type of thing that Graydon spends a lot of time on ie how things affect him.
I am more concerned about how the world is evolving and how it will effect the people of Ontario. Hopefully Graydon has some ideas on that he could share.
Yes transparency and honesty from all politicians would be desirable. I do not think that during the election the Ford PCs told us they were going to scrap the Endangered Species Act and renege on their promise for an environmental assessment before the Dresden dump site was to be expanded. Such actions post-election make a joke of the PC promise to “Protect Ontario” – I am sure that Donald Trump would be thumbs up for the Ford government proposal favouring development of Wasaga Beach Provincial Park while eliminating Parks conservation protections for the beautiful little endangered Piping Plover. I am also sure that our MPP Hon. Graydon Smith can demonstrate his own integrity with his own actions if he cannot convince others in his own party to do so.
Our MPP must know there is a philosophical principle called ‘Hitchen’s Razer’. States that “what can be asserted without evidence can be dismissed without evidence. Should be in a framed plaque on the office wall. Even the item states the “article alleges”. Not proven. Bad practice to run off about something that is so far just an allegation. Or is business that slow?
Does make one wonder where the “Protect Ontario” signs went. Up while talking big and gone when it’s inconvenient. ‘Cut that down. Plow that up. Blow that to hell. Just build a house1 Maybe even a 4 plex.’
And tell me Graydon, where does the whole concept of ‘strong mayor’ fit in the democratic process? That little nugget where a good percentage of the popular vote can be disregarded because some people just voted for the wrong person. And here comes the bulldozer again.
And using the terms ‘integrity’ and ‘fairness’ when describing some other party should cause you to pause and reflect. ‘Cynical’ and ‘opportunistic’ is “back atcha”.
Although cynical is what most of todays politicos make me.
Sounds like American politics.
Graydon found the vote to close for comfort?
Politics are politics. All is fare in love and ???
Where was Smith’s “call out” made?
Knocking other people/parties down to lift yourself up is equally as hypocritical… anyone who does so should look inwards at their motives as well.
This article of MPP Graydon Smith about him claiming what he is referring to in a publication of ” POLICORNER” may very well be just political play to the favour to himself… Until he can verify with actual & creditable research this article is in my opinion meaningless. We know MPP Smith was removed from Minister of Natural Resources & Installed to Assistant to the Minister of Municipal Affairs. This could be perceived by some as a less important standing in the Ford Government., My opinion , others will naturally disagree.
Could it be MPP Graydon Smith is grasping for increasing his popularity in our Muskoka / Parry Sound riding due to the very close results in the last Provincial Election winning by only a few percent over Green Party Matt Richter. ?
Until Graydon can show us the actual facts and credible research, I’m sorry this article is very Questionable in its content.
John R. Earl, Huntsville