Could PPC be a wildcard in splitting conservative vote in Elgin-Middlesex-London Riding?
While the federal party leaders continue their final push toward Monday's election, the same is being done in municipalities around Southwestern Ontario.
The riding of Elgin-Middlesex-London (EML) has been conservative for 17 years, and once again appears to be a two-person race for the seat between Conservative Incumbent Karen Vecchio, and Liberal first-timer Afeez Ojibowu.
However, the wildcard could be the PPC support in east Elgin which is gaining traction, and could possibly split some of the right-wing vote.
Saturday morning, candidates were doing a last minute canvassing push.
"Right now it's connecting with those voters and in making sure that they get out to vote on Monday, and we are all over this riding in the next 24 hours," says Vecchio, who has served six years as the riding's Member of Parliament.
Vecchio started her day visiting with patrons and business owners at the Horton Market in St. Thomas.
"It's working with small businesses, working with seniors’ homes, seniors and stakeholders in the community," says Vecchio. "That's what I will continue to do, and we've reached out to 18,000 doors as the riding continues to grow.”
EML, a riding which is a mix of urban and rural voters hasn't always been Blue. Liberal MPP Steve Peters served three terms provincially from 1999-2011, and MP Gar Knutson was in Parliament from 1993-2004.
"It certainly had little to do with me but I received the wonderful gift of 11 years in Parliament, thanks in large part to Brian Mulroney and Preston Manning," says Knutson, who now lives in Ottawa.
"Those were the two primary actors in in splitting the conservative vote.”
Knutson feels once the Reform and Alliance Parties joined the Conservatives, it's been much more difficult for Liberals to win a seat in the riding. However, with the rise in support for Chelsea Hillier and the PPC, its possible history could repeat itself.
"I think it's a very similar phenomenon, that there's always an element in the population that are angry, and the angry vote needs somewhere to go," says Knutson.
"The Riding could go red although I don't know that there's any objective evidence that suggests we're gonna go red this time but it's possible. All it takes is a few percentage points to switch from losing a campaign to winning a campaign.”
It's a way to victory for first-time Liberal Candidate Afeez Ojibowu, but he's hoping people to vote based on his party’s platform.
"I think it's about the messaging, you know much more than, you know, taking scrapping a few votes here from the PPC," says Ojibowu.
Ojibowu says the federal government's response to the pandemic has been one of the best in the world, and his party is looking out for all Canadians.
"We have a lovely country that is inclusive, that is welcoming you know immigrants from all over the world," says Ojibowu, whose first of many stops Saturday was canvassing in the southeast end of St. Thomas.
"That's the reason why so with my accent, with my name Afeez, which is obviously Muslim, and my background, coming to this country do well in such a very short time. I've had a huge footprint of service back into this community, and then aspire to lead you know in this community as an MP.”
Other candidates in the riding are Katelyn Cody (NDP) Amanda Stark (Green) and Michael Hopkins (Christian Heritage Party of Canada).
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'He didn't want to die': Family of Calgary man killed in standoff speaks out
Family of a Calgary man killed after a 30-hour standoff with police last week are speaking out, sharing details of the tense and heart-wrenching experience.
Toronto family doctor who called patient's body 'perfect' suspended for 3 months: tribunal
A family doctor in Toronto has been suspended for three months after a disciplinary tribunal found that he failed to follow proper protocols while examining a patient's breasts and made inappropriate comments about her body.
Ohio mom who left toddler alone 10 days when she went on vacation pleads guilty to aggravated murder
An Ohio mother whose 16-month-old daughter died after being left home alone in a playpen for 10 days last summer while she went on vacation was sentenced Monday to life in prison with no chance of parole.
Canadian commander of volunteer fighter group dies in Ukraine
A Canadian-born commander of the so-called Norman Brigade, a volunteer fighting group in Ukraine, has died.
5 charged in Calgary kidnappings that targeted women
Calgary police have charged five men in a pair of kidnappings last year that targeted innocent victims.
Demand soars for solar eclipse glasses in Canada. Are they worth buying?
The demand for total solar eclipse glasses used to safely view the rare celestial event has been ramping up as sellers, along with astronomy and eye-care experts in Canada, warn that viewing the eclipse with the naked eye is dangerous.
Woman, 18, killed by co-worker's vehicle on Highway 1 in Moose Jaw
Moose Jaw police say an 18-year-old woman who was at work has died from injuries she sustained in a collision with a vehicle being driven by her co-worker last Thursday.
Retired teacher pleads guilty to paying for sex with 15-year-old in Collingwood, Ont.
In a Barrie courtroom on Monday, a retired high school teacher from the Niagara Region pleaded guilty to sexual touching and obtaining sexual services from a 15-year-old boy in Collingwood in 2021.
MPs to vote on NDP motion calling on Canada to recognize Palestinian statehood
Members of Parliament will vote Monday on a motion from the federal New Democrats, calling on Canada to recognize the 'State of Palestine,' among a range of other calls to action in regards to the ongoing Israel-Gaza conflict.