With only two weeks until the federal election, tension is increasing between two local candidates.
Essex Conservative candidate Jeff Watson is alleging that certain unions are paying people to help with NDP campaign.
He called a news conference Saturday to address his concerns.
Watson says he conducted an investigation after being tipped off by a whistle blower. “Recently we were provided evidence that one union...may be breaking the election finance law".
Watson says an ad was posted on a members only website not accessible to the public.
The ad stated that for $17 an hour, employees would have to canvas door to door for NDP candidates Tracey Ramsey and Cheryl Hardcastle.
“I suspected that paid union work was being offered to campaigns,” Watson said.
But Ramsey has a different take.
In a statement, Tracey Ramsey, the NDP candidate in Essex, called Watson's allegasions a distraction tactic.
"To be clear, this was a posting for employment with the NDP. We're hiring people here because we believe we can win. The person who posted this was not requested or authorized by our campaign."
Watson says a complaint was filed and now the Federal Elections Commission is investigating.
Ramsey says the matter has been resolved.
“They have been in contact with my office a couple of weeks ago to be honest and we believe the issue to be resolved".
The commission would not confirm whether or not the allegations were being investigated. It says the only time they make complaints public is when there's a criminal charge involved.
