HALDIMAND—Mayor Shelley Ann Bentley said she would make the same choice again after skipping a televised mayoral debate to attend the groundbreaking for Haldimand-Norfolk’s first residential hospice.
Bentley was the only one of Haldimand County’s four mayoral candidates absent from Cable 14’s September 23, 2026 debate in Hamilton; Andy Griffin, Jesse Little, and Jake Vandendool fielded questions on municipal issues including growth, infrastructure, and government relationships.
Bentley said the conflict arose because she had already accepted an invitation to attend the groundbreaking for Williamson House, the planned 10-bed Norfolk Haldimand Community Hospice facility in Jarvis, which was sent in the middle of August.
Reaction to Bentley’s absence was divided online.
Sherri Brown Van Vliet wrote, “She didn’t show up for the job interview, guess she doesn’t want it.”
Jan Watson argued the debate had particular importance because it was televised and accessible to residents who may not use social media or be able to attend other campaign events.
“Very unfortunate she chose not to show up,” Watson wrote.
Other commenters on Bentley’s Facebook page supported her decision, pointing to her existing responsibilities as mayor and the significance of the hospice groundbreaking.
Bentley said Cable 14’s invitation arrived August 31 through her campaign email.
That timeline was confirmed by Cable 14 General Manager Jonathan Freedman, who said personalized invitations were sent sequentially to Bentley and the other three mayoral candidates. Cable 14 sent Bentley’s invitation at 1:41 p.m. on August 31.
Bentley replied at 4:47 p.m.
“I appreciate the invitation. I do have a work commitment that day and I require to be in Jarvis at 1 p.m.,” she wrote. “Could you please give consideration to moving the date?”
Cable 14 replied at 6:48 p.m. that evening that the date could not be changed because the station was balancing Hamilton and Haldimand debates over a two-week period.
“If you are able to change your schedule and attend the debate, we’d love to have you,” the station wrote.
Freedman said Cable 14 received no further response from Bentley following that email.
Other mayoral candidates confirmed they also received their Cable 14 invitations on August 31.
Vandendool said he confirmed his attendance within approximately a week after reviewing other campaign debates and event commitments.
Little said he received and confirmed the invitation on August 31, praising Cable 14 for providing what he described as an equal opportunity for candidates to participate.
Griffin said Cable 14 followed up with him on September 8. He said the station indicated an earlier invitation had also been sent, although he could not locate it.
Ultimately, Bentley stands by her decision. She said, “The hospice groundbreaking was an official community event and an important milestone for Haldimand … As mayor, I chose to be there and I would make that choice again.”
She added, “There is an important distinction between my role as a candidate and my responsibilities as mayor.”
Bentley told The Press, “I am disappointed that the importance of this community milestone and my responsibility as mayor are being diminished to turn into something political; had I made the opposite choice, I suspect they would criticize that decision as well.”
Bentley noted there are other debates taking place within Haldimand, including one she already attended in Dunnville and upcoming events in Jarvis and Caledonia.
Cable 14’s September 23 debate remains available on demand. The station introduced Bentley at the beginning of the broadcast as having received an invitation but being unable to participate because of a prior commitment.
