In a heated televised debate on Wednesday in the Grand Falls-Windsor-Buchans district, tension flared between two of the three candidates vying for office. Barry Manuel and Chris Tibbs engaged in a fiery exchange, exchanging accusations of dishonesty and deception.
Tibbs, the Progressive Conservative (PC) candidate and incumbent Member of the House of Assembly (MHA) in the area since 2019, wasted no time in criticizing Manuel, the Liberal candidate and former mayor of Grand Falls-Windsor, in his opening statement. Tibbs alleged that he had been the target of false claims from Manuel and called for honesty in the campaign.
Manuel swiftly rebutted Tibbs, asserting that he was being unfairly labeled by someone who engages in deceitful practices. The debate escalated when Tibbs mentioned a phone call from one of Manuel’s relatives, prompting a tense confrontation between the two candidates.
The verbal sparring continued with accusations flying back and forth, leading to a brief intermission before the clash resumed. This clash was not an isolated incident, as previous verbal altercations had occurred during the campaign.
Reflecting on the exchange, Tibbs expressed no regrets about his actions, stating that he aimed to uphold truth and transparency in the political process. Manuel, on the other hand, felt that Tibbs had crossed a line by involving his family in the debate, describing it as a deliberate tactic.
Despite the intense confrontation, both candidates stood firm in their positions, with Tibbs emphasizing his commitment to serving all constituents and Manuel expressing regret over the situation while reaffirming his stance.
As the Grand Falls-Windsor-Buchans district prepares for the upcoming election on October 14, the rivalry between Manuel and Tibbs continues to intensify, highlighting the competitive nature of the political landscape in the region.