2 of 9 Conservative candidates meet Ottawa mayor in rescheduled meeting

Two of nine local Conservative candidates met with Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson on Monday, six days after a no-show forced the mayor to cancel the originally scheduled tte--tte.

Pierre Poilievre, who is running in the newly-mapped riding of Carleton, and Dev Balkissoon, running in Ottawa South, made up a small contingent of Conservatives.

• Jim Watson cancels meeting as 9 Conservative candidates are no-shows

On Aug. 25, the mayor cancelled the first meeting after candidates either cancelled or never replied to his invitation. Within an hour ofthe cancellation, Poilievre reached out to reschedule a meeting.

Monday morning's discussion was also scheduled at the same time Conservative Leader Stephen Harper held an eventat the Delta hotel in Ottawa.

At least five of the seven other candidates joinedthe leader instead of the meeting with Watson, the CBC's Alistair Steele reported.

The mayor's office said Wednesday was provided as another option, but Poilievre chose Monday.

Jim Watson was not available for comment but his office issued a statement.

"Mayor Watson would have liked to have seen more candidates in attendance to learn about these important issues but he recognizes that time is short in a campaign and there is always competition for a candidate's time," read a statement from spokesman Brook Simpson.

The meeting lasted about one hour at Ottawa's city hall. At its conclusion, Poilievre told reporters the small showing would not create a negative perception of the party or its candidates.

Ottawa's mayor previously met with all nine candidates from each of the Liberal Party and Green Party, while a meeting with NDP candidates is still to come.

Poilievre, 36, currently serves as the Minister of Employment and Social Development, as well asMinister for Democratic Reform.

He also holds an important role for the City of Ottawa as its representative in cabinet, plus he has beenresponsible for the National Capital Commission roles he took over from former MP John Baird.