HWAD PC nomination cancelled due to weather

The Hamilton West-Ancaster-Dundas Progressive Conservative riding nomination meeting scheduled for Sunday was postponed in the interests of safety because of the ice storm.

Dan Muys, president of the riding association, said he received a call from party officials early Sunday, the day of the nomination to say the meeting was cancelled.

Ontario Provincial Police were warning motorists to stay off the roads Sunday, unless absolutely necessary.

Since the storm began on Saturday, April 14, the OPP has said there had been about 1,200 collisions across southern Ontario.

Driving was treacherous along Wilson Street and Trinity Church Road where the nomination meeting was scheduled to be held at the Ancaster Fairgrounds.

Police had already blocked off Trinity Church Road.

Ben Levitt, who won the first Hamilton West-Ancaster-Dundas Tory nomination last May, is contesting the nomination for a second time, against Vincent Samuel.

Samuel was at the fairgrounds Sunday afternoon telling his supporters the nomination had been cancelled for that day.

“It was about safety for people who were travelling,” said Samuel, who was the riding’s 2015 federal Conservative candidate.

Muys said driving conditions were suspect.

Even one of Levitt’s scrutinizers’ vehicles had to be towed out of the ditch along Highway 403.

Signs were up on the fairground building informing people of the change in nomination plans.

Both Samuel and Muys said no date or location has been announced to hold the nomination meeting.