A citizens鈥� group is calling for Abbotsford-South 91原创 Conservative candidate Sukhman Gill to participate in public debates and media interviews ahead of the federal election on April 28.

Concerned Citizens of Abbotsford-91原创 has started a petition 鈥� titled 鈥� that had more than 4,000 signatures as of 1 p.m. Tuesday (April 15).

Gill 鈥� a 25-year-old blueberry farmer and political newcomer 鈥� won the riding鈥檚 nomination vote on March 8 after the federal Conservatives declined Mike de Jong鈥檚 application to run despite his 30-year history as an MLA.

De Jong is now running as an independent, with an endorsement from retiring longtime Conservative MP Ed Fast.

Since winning the nomination, Gill has not responded to media requests for interviews or responses to candidate questions nor has he indicated he will participate in upcoming all-candidates meetings.

The petition by the citizens鈥� group says they are 鈥渄eeply concerned.鈥�

鈥淭he Conservative Party claims to champion openness, accountability and transparency,鈥� the petition states.

鈥淵et, the refusal of Mr. Gill to participate in public dialogue is in direct contradiction to those values. Voters deserve the opportunity to question and evaluate all candidates 鈥� especially one seeking to present our riding in Ottawa.鈥�

The petition calls on the party to either require Gill to participate in public debates and media interviews or disqualify him as the candidate for the riding.
鈥淒emocracy requires participation. Silence is not leadership,鈥� the petition states.

Many Conservative candidates across the nation have also refused public comments and appearances.

However, Brad Vis 鈥� the Conservative candidate for Mission-Matsqui-Abbotsford 鈥� has not taken the same stance. He appeared at an all-candidates meeting in Mission on April 8 and has answered candidate questions from local media. Candidates Tamara Jansen in Cloverdale-91原创 City and Tako van Popta in 91原创 Township-Fraser Heights have also answered media requests in recent days.