LETTER

Debate: Assembling crowds to heckle opponents?

 

I was looking forward to the debate (at the British), but after only two questions, I felt I couldn't stay any longer.

We’ve all seen disrespectful crowds before, but I didn't expect this sort of thing at a Gatineau municipal debate. Clapping boisterously every time Mr Pedneaud-Jobin spoke was one thing, but heckling and booing the other candidates to the point that they couldn't finish their sentences was quite another.

It was like night and day compared to the first debate put on by the Bulletin, despite far fewer people at the second.

I appreciate that Mr Pedneaud-Jobin's friends came out to support him, but I hope that their behaviour was due more to the beer than any sort of pre-planning.  Sadly, that sort of politics is working well south of the border, but it's an American invention that we most definitely do not need here.

I ask Mr Pedneaud-Jobin to please do more to control his supporters in the future, and to ask them to be more respectful. Jibes from one candidate to another during allocated speaking periods in debates or campaign stops is one thing. Assembling crowds to heckle your opponents would be at a whole other level. I hope that there was no such intention on the part of Mr Pedneaud-Jobin, and that he just needs to encourage his supporters to show a basic level of civility. He comes across as a very polite man. He should request the same of his friends and supporters.    

Ian Barrett
Aylmer