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With one major party candidate conspicuous by his absence, six Ottawa South contenders slugged it out Thursday at the riding’s only all-candidates meeting of the federal election campaign.

Conservative Dev Balkissoon sent his regrets early Wednesday via his campaign manager.

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Knocking on doors had priority, said Balkissoon, joining a Conservative party pattern of candidates shying away from debating their opponents before audiences of voters.

With an apparent mix of fair play and Pythonesque humour, organizers thought it fitting that the absent candidate be represented in some form so stood a Balkissoon sign on an easel at the end of the contenders’ table.

The Conservative, NDP, Progressive Canadian, Green, Libertarian and Communist candidates are challenging incumbent Liberal David McGuinty in a traditionally red stronghold — red in the Liberal sense, not Communist. Questions ranged from the environment, transportation, tax evasion, government transparency, health care, mental health and the political engagement of young voters and women.

NDP George Brown opened his two-minute opening statement calling Balkissoon’s non-attendance “unacceptable.”

McGuinty, initially avoided a question about tax evasion before promising that the Liberals will track down wealthy corporate and individual tax dodgers.