Image: Four candidates attended an all-candidates forum hosted by the Abbotsford Chamber of Commerce. / Abbotsford Chamber / YouTube

By Alyssa Conti

PUBLIC CHALLENGE

Mike de Jong challenges Conservative candidate to meeting after forum no-show

Apr 25, 2025 | 10:00 AM

ABBOTSFORD — Independent candidate Mike de Jong has issued a challenge to Conservative candidate Sukhman Gill— asking him to “name a time, date, and place” for an open, public discussion about their platforms.

De Jong penned a letter on social media Thursday, April 24, calling on the 25-year-old to join him in a public meeting where both candidates can share ideas with the people of Abbotsford-South Langley.

“One of the greatest disappointments of this campaign has been Mr. Gill’s refusal to attend a single meeting, forum, or event where voters can hear from him directly,” said de Jong. “That’s not just disrespectful—it’s undemocratic. And frankly, it’s cowardly.”

“Where is he?”

Candidates and audience members took jabs at Gill during a recent all-candidates’ forum, where he was absent…again.

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“[The Conservative candidate] hasn’t shown up to any of the candidate meetings in this riding, nor has he accepted any invitations from media outlets to do any interviews,” said Liberal Party candidate Kevin Gillies. “It appears obvious to me that both the Conservative leader and the local Conservative candidate are about evading accountability.”

After a round of debate, de Jong jokingly placed his rebuttal card in front of – what would have been – Gill’s seat. The room erupted in laughter and applause, and a crowd began chanting “Where is he?” before the moderator reeled things back in.

Green Party candidate Melissa Snazell concluded by urging residents to choose their representative wisely, asking, “What do you think your community can achieve with an MP that will listen to you, that will show up at events, that will be a part of the community?”

Ed Fast, the outgoing Conservative MP for Abbotsford, expressed his disappointment on social media after the event.

“Sadly, the Conservative candidate was again nowhere to be seen,” Fast wrote. “If you can’t show up to answer to the people, you haven’t earned the right to represent us.”

The forum hosted by the Abbotsford Chamber of Commerce took place on April 23. A video of the event is available online.