O'Toole, Trudeau make campaign stops in London, Ont. Friday
Conservative leader Erin O’Toole on Friday became the latest federal party leader to visit the hotly contested riding of London West in the days leading up to the election, even as Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau made a return trip.
At a private event at Bellamere Winery and Event Centre, O’Toole never strayed from his talking points of calling out Trudeau for calling an election during a pandemic.
“A $600 million election for himself. He’s hoping you stay home,” said O’Toole.
With Liberal Kate Young not seeking reelection, the London West riding is seen as being wide open. And it’s often a case of “go big or go home,” in this particular riding, according to Western University political scientist Cristine de Clercy.
“Historically that riding, when it does change hands, when different parties capture it, it tends to swing with a pretty strong plurality of the vote. So it’s not clear right now how close the candidates are, but certainly the party leaders think it’s worth showing up and showing the flag.”
Liberal leader Justin Trudeau was stumping for votes in the riding Friday also. While earlier this week NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh brought his high-energy campaign to a rally in Wortley Village, and the PPC’s Maxime Bernier attracted hundreds of supporters to an event at Springbank Gardens.
“The PPC’s performance in this election is a bit of a wild card,” said de Clercy. “Especially in recent weeks. Especially down here in southern Ontario. Maxime Bernier has done an impressive job of attracting voters to his rallies. Many people may find they have underestimated support for the PPC.”
O'Toole addressed votes for the PPC saying, "Any other choice is actually a vote for Mr. Trudeau."
Trudeau, meanwhile made a surprise stop at the Storm Stayed Brewing Compay on Wharncliffe Road Friday afternoon, his second visit to the Forest City.
Both supporters and a small group of protesters were in attendance.
“We’re very very excited about the work everybody has been doing across the entire London team. Whether it’s Afeez, Peter or M. Hammoud, or just for Canada, you are stepping up in a big way to make the right choice,” Trudeau said.
Liberal candidates Afeez Ajibowu, Peter Fragiskatos and Mohamed Hammoud are running in Elgin-Middlesex-London, London North Centre and London-Fanshawe respectively.
Arielle Kayabaga is running in London West, against Conservative Rob Flack, the PPC's Mike McMullen, NDP's Shawna Lewkowitz and Libertarian Party of Canada's Jacques Boudreau.
While the Liberals have held the London West riding since 2015, prior to that it was long held by Ed Holder for the Conservatives. Since then Holder has gone on to become London’s mayor.
After speaking to the crowd, Trudeau greeted supporters and took photos before returning to his campaign bus.
- With files from CTV News London's Justin Zadorsky and Marek Sutherland
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING Live updates as Stormy Daniels testifies at Trump hush money trial
Adult film star Stormy Daniels will take the stand a second time Thursday as former U.S. president Donald Trump’s hush money case continues in Manhattan. Follow live updates here.
NEW Why these immigrants to Canada say they're thinking about leaving, or have already moved on
For some immigrants, their dreams of permanently settling in Canada have taken an unexpected twist.
Here are the ultraprocessed foods you most need to avoid, according to a 30-year study
Studies have shown that ultraprocessed foods can have a detrimental impact on health. But 30 years of research show they don’t all have the same impact.
NEW Capital gains tax change 'shortsighted' and 'sows division' business groups tell Freeland
Forging ahead with increasing Canada's capital gains inclusion rate 'sows division,' and is a 'shortsighted' way to improve the deficit, business groups are warning Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland.
Ontario man frustrated after $3,500 paving job leaves driveway in shambles
An Ontario man considering having his driveway paved received a quote from a company for $7,000, but then, another paver in the neighbourhood knocked on his door and offered half that rate.
RateMDs violates privacy of health professionals, class-action lawsuit claims
A lawsuit against RateMDs has been given the go-ahead by a B.C. Supreme Court judge who found the claim that the website violates the privacy rights of medical professionals is not 'bound to fail.'
Defence attacks Stormy Daniels' credibility as she returns to the stand in Trump's hush money trial
Stormy Daniels will return to the witness stand Thursday in Donald Trump's hush money trial as the defence tries to undermine the credibility of the porn actor's salacious testimony about their alleged sexual encounter and the money she was paid to keep quiet.
With contactless screening tech, this Toronto startup hopes to catch breast cancer early — and save lives
Amid evidence of rising breast cancer rates among young women in Canada, one Toronto startup is offering a contactless and radiation-free device that can help doctors identify suspicious changes in breast tissue. The company, Linda Lifetech, says this can lead to earlier detection of breast cancer.
Tornadoes tear through southeastern U.S. as storms leave 3 dead
Forecasters warned a wave of dangerous storms in the U.S. could wash over parts of the South early Thursday, a day after severe weather with damaging tornadoes and large hail killed at least three people in the region.