I'm biased. I've never been able to relate to the Tories, likely because I'm an outspoken feminist who cares a lot more about reproductive choice and social justice than keeping taxes low. My main beef with the Conservatives this time out -- aside from the fact that their platform neglects to address environmental issues or Canada's lack of affordable housing in a meaningful way, and the fact that Stephen Harper scares me to the point that I sometimes find myself humming the Darth Vader theme music from Star Wars when I see him, sweater or no sweater -- is that throughout this campaign, in Winnipeg and elsewhere, Conservative candidates have repeatedly refused to participate in public debates and forums.