MP-elect Jackson gets ovation for defying Tory advice

Winnipeg Free Press

01-05-2025

BRANDON — Grant Jackson defied advice from his party and it earned him a big round of applause during a debate at Brandon University prior to Monday's federal election.
The cheers came after a panellist told the room that despite pressure from the Conservative Party of Canada not to participate in local debates, Jackson showed up to discuss issues in the Brandon-Souris riding.
'When it was made clear that he did, in fact, make the decision, probably at some potential personal and professional cost … voters really responded to that in a very positive way,' said Brandon University political science Prof. Kelly Saunders, who was a panellist at last week's debate.
Tim Smith/The Brandon Sun Files
Conservative Party of Canada candidate Grant Jackson, who resigned as MLA for Spruce Woods in March to run federally, was one of the few Conservative candidates in the country to participate in a constituency debate when he took part in one at Brandon University prior to Monday's federal election.
'I think good on him for making the decision to do that. It was the right decision.'
The applause was local to Brandon-Souris, but the sentiment behind it carries nationwide, Saunders said. A primary frustration for voters today, she said, is that candidates are placed under too much party discipline, and voters increasingly feel their representatives have to toe the party line.
Jackson, who resigned as MLA for Spruce Woods in March to run federally, was one of the few Conservative candidates in the country to participate in a constituency debate, panellist Deveryn Ross told the audience. His appeal and reputation increased across party lines as he struck that chord with audience members, Saunders told the Brandon Sun.
'That's exactly what we saw play out,' Saunders said. 'I was talking afterwards to people that weren't necessarily supporters of the Conservative party and they were impressed with what Grant did. I think that just goes to show how desperate we are for that kind of realism in our politicians.'
Jackson said his decision wasn't difficult. He said he was aligned with the Conservative platform and felt confident defending it — but he also sees local debates as crucial to elections.
'I think it is an important opportunity to be able to understand who the candidates are that are running,' Jackson said. 'If you're a voter, it's an opportunity to see how candidates react when they're questioned and sometimes receive some pushback on an answer, or how they articulate their views on a certain issue.'
On election night, Jackson won the riding with 62.5 per cent of the vote, finishing nearly 17,500 votes ahead of Liberal candidate Ghazanfar Ali Tarar. NDP candidate Quentin Robinson finished third with 14.4 per cent.
Some candidates have taken flak for skipping debates.
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Sarnia News Today reported last month that Conservative incumbent Marilyn Gladu was the only candidate who was absent at the community's local debate. Gladu instead submitted a prepared statement, which 'was met with a smattering of boos' when it was read at the event. All six other candidates in the riding attended the debate, the newspaper reported.
Despite her absence, Gladu was re-elected in her riding Monday night.
The strategy can reflect poorly on a party, but it also has its upsides, Saunders said. With fewer candidates speaking off script at debates, a party has an easier time presenting a united, stable message to voters.
During last week's debate, Jackson was questioned for two hours about topics such as taxes, policing and his personal strengths, alongside NDP candidate Robinson. Between them was an empty chair, laid out for Liberal candidate Ali Tarar, who did not attend, citing a family medical emergency.
— Brandon Sun