3:19 p.m. update:
The event in Elk Lake, which Butler said Curley's campaign team found out about yesterday, will see six current and former regional mayors endorse Curley's campaign.
In an additional statement provided to the media, Butler explained why he feels the event in Elk Lake is more important than the debate in Timmins.
“John has been invited to attend a community rally hosted by Reeve Terry Fiset in Elk Lake in support of his bid for to be the new MP. They will also announce 6 more community Leaders endorsing his campaign. Therefore he will not be able to attend the Timmins Media Debate tonight."
"Our sincerest apologies for backing out so late. We understand the importance of the debate but this developed yesterday and this kind of support needs to be acknowledged. Our ongoing campaign must take precedence since there is so little time left,” said Butler.
2:40 p.m. original story:
Conservative Party candidate for Timmins-James Bay John Curley has pulled out of tonight's final debate of the campaign.
Media received word at approximately 2 p.m. that Curley will no longer be attending the event he had previously committed to.
The debate begins at 7 p.m.
The debate, which is being hosted by The Daily Press, will see a panel of eight local journalists pose questions to the candidates.
Curley's campaign manager Dennis Butler explained the reasons for the decision.
“Terry Fiset, down in Elk Lake, is hosting a rally at the Eco Centre to support John in his run,” said Butler.
TimminsToday asked Butler about the timing, and why they previously agreed to attend.
“This late in the campaign, after the advance polls, our priority is our supporters. We have to go after our supporters as much as possible," he said.
Elk Lake is small community 195 kilometres southeast of Timmins.
It has a population of 424, according the 2011 Canadian Census.
