Politics, and not a side-show, dominate final OttawaVanier MPP byelection debate

It was politics, and not a side show, that dominated the seventh and finalOttawaVanierbyelection debate on Tuesday night.

Organizers were keen not to repeat what happened last week inVanierwhen two uninvited candidates from fringe parties interrupted the debate and were eventually led out by police.

The event was organized by theRockcliffePark Residents Association,LindenleaCommunity Association and Manor ParkManor Community Association. Two private security guards were hired to monitor the door for unwanted disturbances.

"We didn't want to have any difficulties so we asked the police to come, and they won't come," said organizer Marilyn Venner.

"So, we hired the security firm."

Debate attracted about 250 people

SbastienLarochelle-Ctmoderated. Organizers invited candidates from parties with a history of getting at least five per centof the vote to answer questions posed by thecrowd of about 250 people atRockcliffe Park Public School.

Progressive ConservativeAndre Marin,LiberalNathalie DesRosiers, New DemocratClaudeBissonand GreenRaphael Morin took turns discussing the proposed closure ofRideau High School, the effect of combined sewage storage tunnel construction inStanley Park, a downtown truck tunnel, the Energy East pipeline and hydro rates.

• Focus on hydro rates, appetite for change in Ottawa-Vanier byelection

• Ontario Attorney General Madeleine Meilleur resigns as MPP

• Andr Marin, ex-ombudsman, to run for PCs in Ottawa-Vanier byelection

• Nathalie Des Rosiers nominated for provincial Liberals for upcoming Ottawa-Vanier byelection

Listen to a panel of voters discussthe byelection here.

Marinwas frequently on the attack, criticizing the Liberals for what he called a legacy of misspsending and for what he said was a confusing and puritan approach to beer and wine sales.

"You can buy wine at a certain place, but not another, depending on the time. Certain aisles will serve you, other aisles won't. It's so complicated," he said.

"Could you imagine if you came from outer space into Ontario and you wanted to buy a bottle of beer? Where would you go?"

'Dismal as a campaign'

Resident Kathy Southeesaid she came to the debate determined not to squander the power of her vote.

"The example south of the border is so terrifying," she said.

But Christopher Adam said that even with 11 names on the ballot, the choices are poorand the debate throughout the campaign overly narrow.

"Frankly, as an average voter, it's been dismal as a campaign," he said.

"If an entire election is based upon hydro costs, that is oneissue.But the reality is, is that the issue that's really touching the largest number ofresidents? I'm not so sure about that."

OttawaVanier currently without MP, MPP

As he had at theVanierdebate theweek before,the man who legally changed his name toAboveZnoneofthetried to disrupt the event.He was refused entry by security guards.

The riding of OttawaVanier is currently without an MP and anMPP.

Madeleine Meilleur, a longtime Liberal MPP and attorney general, resigned in June ahead of a cabinet reshuffle.

In AugustOttawaVanierresidents lost their longtime LiberalMP Mauril Blangerwhenhedied followinga 10-month battle with ALS, also known as Lou Gherig's disease.

Blanger hadwon seven consecutive elections after his initial win in a 1995 byelection.