Mayor Clarke Removed From Debate, Abbass Asked To Leave [VIDEO]

After Mayor Cecil Clarke was announced as a virtual attendee at the first CBRM mayor debate hosted by Ripple FX, other candidates refused to take the stage until the moderator accepted Clarke's offer to recuse himself. Disruption occurred as both the audience and candidates were upset. The moderator asked candidate Chris Abbass to leave the stage, escorted by security. The debate is now ongoing via Facebook livestream.

Posted by
Receive news by email and share your news and events for free on goCapeBreton.com
SHOW ME HOW


8,674 9
https://capebreton.lokol.me/mayor-clarke-removed-from-debate-abbass-asked-to-leave-live
Gov Government News Municipal Government

9

Log In or Sign Up to add a comment.
Depth
Debbie Keating Follow Me
I was in attendance at the debate tonight when Cecil Clarke explained his absence (basing it on Justin Trudeau’s speech announcing the start of a second wave) and his concerns for his partner who is immunocompromised. So we shouldn’t be expecting him in the CBC debate or certainly not the chamber debate. And this also begs the question: is he the right person for the job as mayor during a pandemic? I know that the CBRM continued to operate in his nine month absence during the PC leadership campaign but during a pandemic we need leadership. Cecil Clarke was clear his self isolating will now be a priority for him for the duration of the pandemic. #Time for change In CBRM.
Mathew Georghiou Follow Me
Debbie, when the candidates were in the back of the room and about to come forward someone yelled something (may have been a candidate, not sure) and the audience gasped ... do you know what was said and by whom that caused the reaction? I couldn't hear it on the video feed.
Debbie Keating Follow Me
I didn’t hear the comment Mathew. Sorry.
Joe Ward Follow Me
The statement was by Archie MacKinnon. Someone present at the event says it was: "If Cecil ain’t here then I’m left here with three guys to debate a woman”
Debbie Keating Follow Me
Yes. I heard that comment being said. There was a lot happening at that juncture, but I definitely heard the comment.
dave finlay Follow Me
Clarke should be ashamed of coming up with such a stupid answer. The virus at best is a strong flue . Should we all just stay home ? I would like to know more about Chris Abbass . What happen to free speech . Clarke is very weak .We can't have a mayor that won't show up for a debate .
caleb gibbons Follow Me
Blocking Cecil Clarke, the incumbent Mayor, from the debate was ludicrous. The organizers clearly had the ability to accommodate his request. Some would say you might as well have Cecil and Amanda McDougall play best 2 of 3 rock-paper-scissors. There are big issues to get sorted in CBRM and C-19 does not make them easier. The bulk of the CBRM budget is property taxes and the % in arrears continues to mount. CERB is ending/morphing into a modified EI plan. Hard candy Christmas, indeed. The only saving grace is this mayoral election will not be decided solely on equalization. Easier to look to Halifax as the equivalent of a deadbeat Dad than to fix the underlying funding problems. COVID-19=flu is the equivalent of a "flat-earth" argument. The "at risk" demographic on Cape Breton Island is high given the % > 65 (higher incidence of co-morbidity). Education is being transformed before our very eyes under C-19. CBU, a silo of strength in CBRM, will have significant challenges on the heels of great success in terms of enrollment expansion (driven by international students). K-12 in another matter, but as things drag on don't be surprised of "grade 13" being introduced as many children tread water under hybrid/distance learning models. Telehealth and MedTech will likely swamp concerns over bricks and mortar hospitals (e.g. NS spending $193 million to expand high speed internet across the province). Hospital, nursing homes and extended/acute care facilities have been shown to be primary means of transmission under wave 1. Wave 2 is affecting a younger demographic and in the US has been driven by schools/colleges re-opening. With Cape Breton's population density there is no reason we can't keep COVID-19 at bay, but we have to remain diligent. JCG JCG
Ellen Polegato Follow Me
I watched the first few minutes of the debate and stopped watching because I thought there was a lack of professionalism by the moderator and some of the people in the audience. At this time I do not support one candidate over another and it was disappointing to see - no further ahead in deciding.
Joe Ward Follow Me
Hi Ellen, despite the disruptive start to the debate, mayoral candidate Amanda McDougall went on to provide thoughtful answers to every question raised. However, you may be interested in seeing the more recent debate hosted by CBC's Steve Sutherland. Cecil Clarke was also in attendance for this debate. It's available for replay here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_0Eb-RR_pLI

Facebook Comments

View all the LATEST
and HOTTEST posts
View

Share this comment by copying the direct link.

  • Our Sponsors

Using this website is subject to the Terms of Use that contain binding contractual terms.