A teachable moment

The Star explores the practice of unelected Conservative candidates turning up at government funding announcements. Not mentioned is candidate Denise Ghanam’s explanation when she appeared with Conservative MP Jeff Watson at an announcement in Essex County two months ago.

What’s the rush, I asked Watson; are Conservatives preparing in case the Liberal party decides in Sudbury today it needs to trigger an election? "These announcements take months to prepare," Watson said, shaking his head at my suggestion. Then why bring a Conservative candidate from a nearby riding to a funding announcement? "I’m still learning the ropes," Ghanam says. "This is all about the economy."