Where’s Chloe? It’s a question that’s been asked repeatedly throughout the 2015 federal election campaign.
Chloe Ellis, the Conservative candidate in New Westminster-Burnaby, attended the meet-and-greet at Five Stones Church on Columbia Street on Thursday night. Although she attended a Burnaby Board of Trade all-candidates meeting, it was her first candidates meetings of the campaign in the Royal City.
Ellis sought to address the “rumour mill” about her presence at all-candidates meetings, as it’s something she has heard from citizens. (Some reports have indicated the Conservative candidates have been scarce at all-candidates meetings and have not returned media calls.)
Ellis said she had been door-knocking relentlessly in April, May and June, as she had a part-time job. When she got a full-time job, she said she had to make some “tough decisions” about how to manage her volunteer, work and campaign schedules.
“I know in my heart of hearts, an election is won at the doors. That is known historically,” she said. “I don’t think an election has ever been won at all-candidates debates.”
Ellis said she made a commitment to her supporters to do her best in the election campaign. She said that’s best achieved by door-knocking and meeting with constituents one-on-one.
“A politician, anyone, a friend – showing up at your door and saying, ‘What are you thinking, hello, this is me,’ one on one, that’s quite an experience. I would give up all candidates meetings to be able to meet with every single one, all 120,000 of you at your door to really get that personal connection so you get to meet me,” she said. “It’s great to be up on stage, and I love that, but I want to meet you, I want to know what is happening at your dinner tables.”
Ellis, who ran her first election campaign shortly after turning 18, said she decided it was time to put citizens’ values forward with her voice and try to represent the city in Ottawa.
“No matter what I have been dedicated, fearlessly at your door, trying to meet you one-on-one. Rain or shine, I have been there trying to speak with you,” she said. “I can assure you that when I am elected your MP, I will still be at your doors asking you questions. I will be accessible. I will care what you think. I will listen to you, but more important, I will hear you.”
