Nenshi calls Crockatt's absence 'elephant not in the room'

Conservative candidate Joan Crockatt was noticeably absent from Sunday's Calgary Centre byelection debate.

Mayor Naheed Nenshi appeared unimpressed, calling it "the elephant not in the room."

He quoted a tweet he received from Crockatt confirming she would not attend.

"I hope tomorrow you remind the crowd about all the good things the Conservatives have done for cities."

And they have, Nenshi said.

"But as I said to her, 'Gee, you could come and tell them yourself,'" he said."I don't think it's the mayor's job to do the candidate's job for her."

NDP, Green Party and Liberal candidates were in attendance at the forum that tackled the issue of Calgary and its relation to the federal government.

Crockatt was at a byelection debate on Saturday, but chose to door knock on Sunday.

Her opponents say her no-show track recordshows the ruling federal conservatives are taking Calgary Centre for granted.

Other candidates include Tony Prashad from the Libertarian party and Antoni Grochowski as an independent.

The byelection vote will be held on Nov. 26.