Letter: Candidates shouldn’t comment on store hours

The store hours debate has raged in our community for a number of years. The current council, rather than rendering a decision, chose to send this debate to the public through the three referendum questions that will be asked of citizens during this year’s municipal elections.

Candidates are being asked where they stand on this issue. I have been contacted by the Greater Sudbury Chamber of Commerce and a local media outlet, and have been asked directly if I would have voted in favour of repealing the store hours bylaw, and where I stand on each of the three referendum questions.

As a Ward 11 candidate, I think it is inappropriate for me to comment on these questions. My personal opinion on the store hours issue is now irrelevant. With this issue being decided by referendum, I think it is unwise to weigh in on it.

In fact, even the city itself has come out in the media and advised current councillors to seek legal advice before expressing their own opinions on the issue.

Although the rules for a referendum dictate that for a decision to be binding, at least 50 per cent of eligible voters must turn out. If elected, I will support the choice of the voters, regardless of the voter turn-out.

If voter turnout is in excess of the 50 per cent, the referendum results are binding.
Expressing my opinion could potentially put me in conflict of that decision of voters. Expressing my opinion prior to the election could also be seen as an attempt to influence voters.

Indeed, this is an important issue for our community. Our current leaders have deferred this decision to the voters. As a result, if elected Ward 11 candidate, I will honour that decision of the public.

Chris Nerpin
Sudbury