NDP renews calls for removal of Liberal candidate in Chatham-Kent-Leamington
The outgoing NDP MP for Essex is now calling for the removal of Audrey Festeryga as the Ontario Liberal Party's provincial election candidate.
“The Liberals need to own up to what they know they’ve done here,” Taras Natyshak said Wednesday during a virtual news conference.
The issue first came to light on May 18, when the NDP sent a letter to Elections Ontario asking for a full investigation into the signatures Festeryga used for her candidacy paperwork.
Natyshak said four constituents have “come forward” to the NDP, to say they did not intend to support Festeryga as the candidate in Chatham-Kent-Leamington.
Rather, the NDP said the residents told them their support was for previous candidate Alec Mazurek.
Mazurek was removed by the Liberal Party after it was revealed he had posted homophobic slurs on social media eight years ago.
In order to run for political office, a candidate must collect 25 signatures as part of their candidacy paperwork.
CTV News has reviewed the 30 signatures submitted by Festeryga. They are from constituents in Tilbury, Merlin, Blenheim and Leamington. All were witnessed by former candidate Alec Mazurek.
In a brief statement provided May 18, a media spokesperson for the Ontario Liberal Party told CTV News Festeryga’s paperwork was all valid.
Liberal Leader Steven Del Duca was asked about the allegations Wednesday during a campaign stop in the GTA.
“I want to let Elections Ontario do the job that they're supposed to be doing. They'll do their work,” said Del Duca. “I suspect Miss Horwath will continue to do what she's done for a year now, which is not to take the fight to Doug Ford, but to spend almost all of her time attacking me and attacking Ontario Liberals.”
Festeryga did not respond to a request for comment.
According to the NDP, Elections Ontario is now investigating the situation, but that has not been independently verified by CTV News.
Natyshak tells CTV News an Elections Ontario official “on the ground” in Chatham-Kent-Leamington admitted Festeryga’s paperwork should not have been accepted.
“This is not the time to delay,” Natyshak said, noting advanced polls are already open.
In an emailed statement to CTV News, Elections Ontario said it does not comment on its internal processes and "does not comment on whether or not it has received a complaint or whether or not it is investigating a matter. whether or not it has received a complaint or whether or not it is investigating a matter."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
What to know about avian influenza in dairy cows and the risk to humans
Why is H5N1, or bird flu, a concern, how does it spread, and is there a vaccine? Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions about avian influenza.
'I was scared': Ontario man's car repossessed after missing two repair loan payments
An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.
opinion The special relationship between King Charles and the Princess of Wales
Royal commentator Afua Hagan writes that when King Charles recently admitted Catherine to the Order of the Companions of Honour, it not only made history, but it reinforced the strong bond between the King and his beloved daughter-in-law.
Man convicted of involuntary manslaughter in father's drowning, told police he was baptizing him
A Massachusetts man who told police he was exorcising a demon and performing a baptism when he shoved his father's head under water multiple times has been convicted of involuntary manslaughter in his death.
New Norad commander calls Canada's defence policy update 'very encouraging'
American troops will be spending more time training in the Far North, the new commander of Norad says, a strategy that fits 'hand-in-glove' with Canada's renewed focus on Arctic defence.
$70M Lotto Max winners kept prize a secret from family for 2 months
During a special winner celebration near their hometown, Doug and Enid shared the story of how they discovered they were holding a Lotto Max ticket worth $70 million and how they kept this huge secret for so long.
Are Canadians getting sick from expired food?
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
Documents reveal Ottawa's efforts to get Loblaw, Walmart on board with grocery code
It was evident to the federal government as early as last fall that Loblaw and Walmart might be holdouts to the grocery code of conduct, jeopardizing the project's success.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.