Silence from Edmonton Conservatives likely a national strategy: analyst

A man is silhouetted walking past a Conservative Party logo before the opening of the Party's national convention in Halifax on Thursday, Aug. 23, 2018. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darren Calabrese

With less than three days until the 2025 federal election, Conservative candidates in four key Edmonton ridings have remained quiet.

Miles Berry, Jagsharan Singh Mahal, Kerry Diotte and Sayid Ahmed all refused written and in-person requests from CTV News Edmonton for interviews for stories on their ridings: Edmonton-Strathcona, Edmonton-Southeast, Edmonton-Griesbach and Edmonton-Centre, respectively. It is unclear whether they have granted other interviews.

• The information you need to know, sent directly to you: Download the CTV News App

Scott Reid, CTV News analyst and former communications director for Prime Minister Paul Martin, said he was not surprised that local Conservative candidates were tight-lipped.

“It’s very much indicative of a broad strategy on the part of the campaign,” Reid said. “You see it also in the decision to not participate in local all candidates debates…. The best, most positive way of framing it is that it is a commitment to discipline and focus on the part of the campaign.

“They do not want a candidate creating, in the midst of a close election, a national controversy because of an inopportune or poorly chosen comment.”

CTV News Edmonton has reached out to the Conservative’s federal media contact for comment but did not receive a response.

Multiple Liberal and Conservative candidates have stepped down or been turfed this election over contentious comments.

In Edmonton, long-time NDP MLA Rod Loyola was axed by the Liberal Party of Canada in Edmonton-Gateway after video from a 2009 anti-NATO rally surfaced where he sympathized with Hezbollah and Hamas, both of which are listed as terrorist organizations in Canada.

• Liberals dump second candidate, this time over Hamas comments
• Conservative candidate booted after CTV News uncovers audio of joke about Justin Trudeau and the death penalty
• Incumbent Toronto-area Liberal candidate apologizes for ‘deplorable’ comments

While silence might be a good national strategy, Reid said it raises questions.

“It is obviously subject to deep criticism in terms of eroding respect for scrutiny and accountability, whether that’s from the folks who show up in all candidates’ debates or local media who expect to hear from local candidates,” he added. “That’s an important function that is being undermined.”

That said, Reid believes Alberta’s blue roots make it unlikely Conservative candidates will suffer from shying away from the press.

The latest polling data from Nanos Research shows Conservatives still holding strong in the prairies, with 57 per cent of those surveyed supporting the party compared to 30 per cent who support the Liberals and the nine per cent supporting the NDP.

“I think, sadly, they are making a cost benefit analysis that is likely correct, which is that the harm done by one misstep would far outweigh the benefit of all and many candidates, engaging with local media and putting on a good representation,” he added.

CTV News Edmonton reached out again on Friday to Berry, Mahal, Diotte and Ahmed.

Berry’s team responded saying an interview was unable to be arranged due to the candidates schedule.

“Miles is constantly out canvassing residents of Edmonton Strathcona and the logistics of setting up an interview make it unfeasible,” his team said in an email.

CTV News Edmonton will update this article when, and if, responses are received from any of the other candidates.