War of words escalates

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This article was published 18/09/2015 (3685 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The war of words that started at a downtown debate Wednesday has now escalated as Green Party candidate Don Woodstock claims NDP MP Pat Martin swore and elbowed him in the ribs.

“Not only am I demanding an apology from Pat Martin, but I have written Thomas Mulclair informing him of Mr. Martin’s inappropriate behaviour as a public candidate at a public debate and ask that he remove Mr. Martin as a candidate,” Woodstock said in a release from his campaign Thursday.

At Wednesday night’s fiery debate in Portage Place featuring candidates from Winnipeg Centre, a fired-up Martin took issue with Woodstock implying Martin did nothing to help constituents in his riding.

“In 28 years, how often have you seen folks on your street that have serious mental-health issues?” Woodstock asked Martin during the debate, sending Martin over the edge.

The insinuation by Woodstock that Martin and his staff ignored the needs of community members near his Sargent Avenue office led to Martin allegedly calling Woodstock a “f prick.”

Woodstock also claims Martin jabbed him in the ribs.

Martin was caught on camera mouthing what appears to be the phrase “son of a bitch.”

The words were uttered under Martin’s breath and for the most part were inaudible to the audience of more than 400 people watching the debate. Martin has been the MP for the downtown riding since 1997, winning with more than 50 per cent of the vote in 2011.

Woodstock is a Winnipeg Transit operator who lost to Coun. Shawn Dobson in the 2014 civic election in the St. Charles ward.

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Throughout the debate, Woodstock goaded Martin, attacking him on his record and the fact he does not live in the riding; Woodstock boasted at the debate he is the only candidate at the debate who lived in the riding.

On Wednesday afternoon Robert-Falcon Ouellette threw the first punch against Martin when he sent out a sarcastic press release calling into question where Martin lives.

The press release lamented that Martin would sue anyone who accused him of living in British Columbia, but went on show evidence that added to the rumours Martin lived on Saltspring Island. Martin has always denied this long-standing rumour, insisting it is a cottage.

Martin was not available Thursday to respond to Woodstock’s comments.

kristin.annable@freepress.mb.ca