After a few no-shows, the editorial board of Toronto Community News began to ponder whether Progressive Conservative candidates had been attending all-candidates' debates. This turned into a discussion on the necessity for all candidates running for provincial office to, at the very least, show up to one debate. Many have, while others, as of today's date, had not.

We acknowledge attending every debate is not possible. And if the municipal debates of 2010 were any indication many debates are poorly organized, last-minute, and sometimes serve only a slim wedge of public interest. We recognize not every debate is the best use of a candidate's time - and every "no" to organizers means the candidate takes a chance at alienating forum organizers. It is, however, to each candidate's advantage to provide their constituents the chance to see how they perform under fire, and under the scrutiny of their competition.

A meeting where attendance should have been mandatory was the recent Toronto District School Board's Education Day debates. Toronto Community News confirmed with the TDSB that no PC candidates attended any of the 20 education debates held across the city Tuesday night. All 20 Liberal candidates attended, as did all but one NDP candidate. Four Green candidates did not participate.

With education a provincial responsibility, it is surprising that some candidates would not show up to discuss an issue that, whether you have children or not, impacts everyone in Ontario through their taxes. The broad and complex topics discussed at the education debate in the riding of Etobicoke-Lakeshore demonstrates how important issues such as school funding, mental health and fundraising are to so many people.

The position provided by Ontario PC press secretary Pema Lhalunga, that "candidates make their own decisions on debate attendance based on time availability and other commitments" is peculiar. It's quite a coincidence not one candidate felt attending an education debate was good use of their time. Again, it's their choice to use their time as they see fit.

This editorial is not meant to pick on PC candidates, but to hopefully raise the bar when it comes to getting the message out in the days leading up to the Oct. 6 provincial election. Debates are part of the campaign mix. They may well provide the best opportunity for provincial candidates to discuss specifically what they would do for the people of the specific geography they represent. Certainly, missing high-profile candidate forums is detrimental to any candidate wanting to get their name spread positively in the media.

Candidates really have few opportunities to reach the massive public of a specific riding through an event and ensuing media coverage. They need to send clear signals on how they're going to serve their riding.

There may be many very close races in this upcoming election. We'd hate to see any candidate lose simply for not taking the opportunities before them to reach the public.