Belleville Councillor Egerton Boyce (File photo: Mary Thomas/Quinte News0
At least one Belleville mayoral candidate says he won’t take part in one of the cities longstanding political traditions.
Egerton Boyce says he’s declining an invitation to take part in the 2018 Wharf Street Debating Club Bun Feed.
The event has been going on for decades, formerly at the Wharf Street Debating Club building on South Front Street and typically sees candidates poke fun at each other in a “roast” style discussion on the current election issues.
In an open letter Boyce says “people’s views have evolved” and the style of debate could now be “considered a form of bullying”.
He says he “cannot sit back and watch others be ridiculed, even if it’s considered to be all in fun” and that he’s made a personal donation to the Canadian Mental Health Association in lieu of a ticket purchase.
Jodie Jenkins says he plans attending, Mitch Panciuk says he’s undecided and we’ve reached out to Taso Christopher to see if he’ll be attending.
The event will be held on October 15 at the Foster Ward Community Centre.
You can click here to read a recap from the 2014 event and click here to learn more about the history of the Wharf Street Debating Club.
