[Only The Lonely..]

War of words, but no debate, in Elmwood-Transcona

Last Updated: Wednesday, September 17, 2008 | 8:56 AM CT - CBC Manitoba

Federal election candidates in Elmwood-Transcona agree that repairs slated for the Disraeli Freeway are a major issue for voters in the Winnipeg riding — but the campaign manager for one candidate says an election is no time for a public debate.

The City of Winnipeg plans to close the 40-year-old, four-lane bridge while it completes more than $125 million in upgrades to the structure, which crosses the Red River.

But several politicians in the area have called for the bridge to be twinned to allow traffic to move on one side while the other is under construction, and to provide extra capacity for future traffic.

The NDP's Jim Maloway and Conservative candidate Thomas Steen both say they have been hearing about the issue as they knock on doors in the riding.

Maloway, who supports the twinning option, wants a debate about the matter, but says his efforts have been met with silence.

"We know he lives in Tuxedo somewhere, but we can't find him to invite him to the debate," he said.

Debate not necessary: Steen campaign
Steen says he has never heard the invitation, and is still learning about local issues

But the Tory candidate's campaign manager, Jeff Browaty, told CBC News a debate is not worth the trouble.

"It's sort of been my experience in the past [that] people who go to those debates already have their minds made up, you know, they're from the various campaigns," he said.

"Any member of the public that has any questions can certainly ask Thomas and get the question to Thomas," he added. "We have a barbecue this weekend — I mean, he's certainly available to any member of the public to answer any questions."

Ironically, Browaty, the Winnipeg city councillor for North Kildonan, spearheaded the debate about twinning the Disraeli bridge at Winnipeg City Hall.

'Signs' of trouble
Candidates' issues with election signs are also raising eyebrows in the riding.

A close look at NDP candidate Jim Maloway's signs reveals duct tape covering the "re" in "re-elect."

Maloway, who stepped down as MLA for Elmwood to run federally, doesn't deny he's recycling them from the last provincial campaign; he says Elections Canada allows it.

Meanwhile, the Tories say their candidate's signs have been disappearing. Steen — a former star player on the now-defunct Winnipeg Jets NHL team — has been signing them, and fans may be stealing them.

CBC's calls to Wes Penner, the Liberal candidate in the riding, were not returned.