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Cayuga man's Conservative nomination application denied

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A Cayuga man took to Facebook on Oct. 15 to announce his application to seek the nomination in the Haldimand-Norfolk riding for the Conservative Party in the next federal election was denied.

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In the post, which has since been shared over 130 times, Albert Marshall said he was informed of the reason for refusal just 11 minutes before the nomination process closed at 5 p.m. on Oct. 13.

In an email to The Simcoe Reformer, Cory Hann, director of communications for the Conservative Party of Canada, said the application was denied because it was submitted incomplete on the last day.

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“Mr. Marshall submitted his application on the last possible day, it was missing a key component, he could not get the key component to us by deadline (such is the risk one takes when they wait to the last day to submit), and the application was incomplete and therefore could not be considered,” read the email.

While Marshall said he was not told of the required $1,000 payment from a campaign bank account, Hann said the rules were sent to him twice, once on Sept. 29 and again on Oct. 1.

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“I’ve reread that 55-page application at least four times looking for it, and there’s no mention of it,” Marshall said in a phone interview Oct. 16. “I’ve seen it reported online that they asked multiple times and that’s not true.”

In the rules that are posted on the Conservative party website, it states “A $1,000 certified cheque or bank draft payable to Conservative Fund Canada from the nomination campaign account” is required.

“This is a regrettable decision and tactic employed by the Party – one that does a disservice to the democratic process and undermines the opportunity of local members to make a choice between competing, motivated and qualified potential candidates,” Marshall said on Facebook.

With Marshall’s application being denied, Leslyn Lewis officially became the Conservative candidate for the riding.

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Lewis, a Toronto lawyer, took to Facebook to make the announcement.

“I am incredibly honoured to officially be named the next Conservative Candidate for Haldimand-Norfolk. Hundreds of you signed up to support my nomination and I can’t wait to begin the next step of working together to ensure a Conservative victory in the next election,” read her post.

Marshall added many of his supporters have asked him to run as an independent in the next election and he is taking a few days to consider it before making any official decision.

“It’s quite devastating to have this happen,” he said. “At the end of the day I’m just one guy. This is about whether the people of Haldimand-Norfolk have a choice. The way this riding typically votes this isn’t just a nomination, this is actually closer to being a member of parliament.”

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