Trevor Holliday is continuing his fight to be included in tonight’s all-candidates’ debate organized by the North Bay & District Chamber of Commerce and YourTV North Bay.

“If I were a chamber member, I would be demanding to know all the candidates, as the chamber is supposed to be unbiased, not hide under the excuse of YourTV’s policy as there are other options to televise the debate,” Holliday, the Northern Ontario Party’s Nipissing candidate, stated in a release late Monday night.

As well, Holliday questions why Vic Fedeli (PC), Henri Giroux (NDP), Stephen Glass (Liberal) and Kristopher Rivard (Green) have not spoken up.

“Do they not believe in the democratic process?” he questioned. “If I was involved in a debate and someone was left out, I would make a stand for democracy not this picking and choosing.

“This just shows that the four parties based in Toronto only care about themselves and not equality and fairness. This is the exact type of thinking that has left Northern Ontario so neglected.”

Joey Roussy, manager of programming and community relations, confirmed last week that YourTV North Bay did not invite Holliday to the debate.

“Free-time messages will be aired as part of our programming and posted to our website so that all candidates can get their message out,” Roussy stated in an email. “In addition to free-time messages, YourTV will also invite the main parties to participate in debate programming.

“Our position is consistent with the Broadcasting Act and CRTC regulations governing elections.”

Tonight’s debate is being broadcast from Ecole secondaire publique Odyssee.