The 42nd federal election campaign is underway and hopeful Regina MPs have set off on the long campaign trail.
The newest riding, Regina-Lewvan, used to be a hybrid riding of urban and rural voters. These boundaries tended to favour the Conservative party, but the now fully-urban riding could change Saskatchewan’s political representation in the House of Commons.
“If these boundaries would have existed in the last federal election, the NDP would have won this seat. So we’re very optimistic,” said NDP candidate Erin Weir.
Conservative candidate Trent Fraser isn’t shaken by the redrawn borders.
“I believe it’ll be a close race, I really do. But in all honesty, I’m hoping for the best,” Fraser.
“It makes it challenging for a member of parliament, because you really need to be a jack of all trades … and that can be tough because urban issues are different from rural issues,” said Louis Browne, the Liberal candidate in Regina-Lewvan.
All three candidates were campaigning before the writ was dropped on Sunday. All candidates say they’ve been out in the community meeting voters.
Browne said he’s been knocking on doors for some time now, and despite the long election, he’ll be out in the community.
“You never know what’s going to come to the door, ever. It’s always a surprise. It’s always fun. It’s always interesting,” said Browne.
Fraser has also been rearing to go.
“We have been door knocking for a couple months … it’s going to be a busy 77 days,” said Fraser.
Weir has been campaigning since he was nominated in June.
“I’ve been out knocking on doors ever since then. I’ve been to more than 10,000 doorsteps in Regina-Lewvan,” said Weir.
For a list of Regina’s ridings click here.
ASalloum@rawlco.com
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