Election charge
October 4, 2006

A plan to selectively charge admission for a mayoralty debate is being denounced by at least one city councillor. Four business organizations are charging $10 a person to non-members to attend an October 23rd debate at the Hamilton Chamber of Commerce.

The opportunity to hear the mayoralty candidates debate the election issues is being jointly put on by the Chamber, the Hamilton Halton Home Builders Association, the Hamilton Halton Construction Association and the Realtors Association of Hamilton and Burlington. The members of all four organizations get to attend for free, but there's a $10 charge for everyone else.

Brian McHattie finds this “extremely disturbing” and is asking all the mayoralty candidates to boycott the debate unless the admission fee is rescinded.

“This is the most blatant strike against democracy that I've seen in a long time, and represents an elitist approach that raises huge concerns for how open and transparent political discussion occurs in this City,” says McHattie in a message to the seven candidates for mayor. “Democracy should not have a cost associated with it - it must be open to everyone, not just those who can afford it.”

McHattie's Tuesday morning email was shared with local media, but so far hasn't been covered.

The 5 pm debate is being hosted by CH television personality Connie Smith. The notice issued by the Chamber to its members says “Admission Free for Pre-Registered Members of Sponsor Organizations. $10.00 for non-members and any registrations received after Wednesday, October 18th.”