When BayToday shared in early February the news of the planned Northern Ontario Leaders’ Debate, the response to the price of admission to the event bordered on hostile.
Upon learning of the $130 per ticket price, readers expressed their disapproval by posting questions in the comment section below the article:
- Why is there a cost for this event?
- Why does the public need to pay to see this?
- I would like to know where the money from charging so much for admission will go. How is this democratic?
- The last debate held in 2022 was held at the Capitol Centre, sponsored by FONOM. Kudos to FONOM for organizing this event to highlight Northern Ontario issues but why is there a fee and why is it so high?
Expensive or not, the 100 or so available debate tickets are sold out as of Monday, according to the Federation of Northern Ontario Municipalities (FONOM), the event's hosts. So, if you were planning on dropping $260 for you and your date to watch the provincial leaders debate live this Valentine's Day, followed by some wining and dining, the black market beckons.
FONOM maintains the ticket revenue helps offset the expenses the organization incurs to host the debate, including a donation to the Canadore College Alumni Fund in exchange for the use of the venue, security, staffing, and other expenses.
"Any revenue generated from the debate is used to support advocacy effects of our 110 member municipalities," explains FONOM President Danny Whalen.
Whalen points out the only other leaders' debate is a studio event. "I am not aware of any Leaders' Debate in the last 20 years that has been open to the public, other than FONOM's. We are happy to have the leaders come to Northern Ontario to answer our concerns."
FONOM's president says the advocacy group "does not have the funds to run this type of event at no cost, but we've made sure that the live stream is available to all citizens and media across the province. The Board believes this is an important event for the communities of Northern Ontario and is pleased that the party leaders will discuss northern issues during the debate."
In April 2022, FONOM hosted a leaders' debate at the Capitol Centre and tickets were $125 each. FONOM did not publicly share the amount of its profit from the event, which also sold out its available seats. The 2022 debate fell during FONOM's annual conference, and a majority of the spectators were affiliated.
Conservative leader Doug Ford, the NDP's Marit Stiles, the Liberals' Bonnie Crombie and Green Party leader Mike Schreiner have all confirmed their participation. The event will be held in Canadore College’s G-Wing Theatre on Friday, Feb. 14 at 1 p.m. but ticket holders must be seated 30 minutes ahead.