Dresden dump could be the single issue causing a stink in Lambton-Kent-Middlesex by-election
It was a wasted Wednesday in Wallaceburg when opponents of a proposed garbage dump in Dresden showed up to meet the premier face-to-face to make their concerns known. On the eve of a provincial by-election in the region, Doug Ford was a no-show.
Voter Stefan Premdas, who chairs the citizen’s group Dresden Cares, said their fight will continue.
“We showed up today to show the premier that, peacefully, that our community would not be ignored, and he's choosing to ignore us. And so we continue on to Queen's Park with our parliamentary petitions,” said Premdas.
The dump may be the one issue in the southern part of Lambton-Kent-Middlesex causing a stink in the by-election.
In fact, the biggest challenge for candidates may just be in getting the vote out, said Sam Routley, a political scientist at Western University.
“A huge part of the battle is getting people informed that there’s a by-election in the first place,” Routley told CTV News London.
Dresden Cares Chair Stefan Premdas speaks to media in Wallaceburg, Ont. on May 1, 2024. NDP candidate Kathryn Shailer (left) also attended the dump protest. (Bryan Bicknell/CTV News London)
The Lambton-Kent-Middlesex by-election was called after former PC MPP and cabinet minister Monte McNaughton stepped away from politics last year.
Hoping to fill his shoes is Tory candidate Steve Pinsonneault, New Democrat Kathryn Shailer and Liberal Cathy Burghardt-Jessen.
While Burghardt-Jessen may be well known in the riding as the former Middlesex County warden, Routley said she still has an uphill battle to win in the mostly rural riding.
“In the rare occasion that the Conservatives lose, that’s pretty worrying for them. It’s a sign that the Liberals are really picking up traction,” said Routley.
Southwest Middlesex Mayor Allan Mayhew speaks to CTV News London at his municipal office in Glencoe, Ont. on May 1, 2024. (Bryan Bicknell/CTV News London)Many voters CTV News London spoke with in the town of Glencoe were not aware of the by-election.
However, one voter paying close attention is the mayor of Southwest Middlesex. He said municipalities in the riding are looking for an advocate at Queen's Park, and right now the most pressing issue is housing.
“We need affordable housing. We need affordable rents. And in order to provide that in the quantity necessary, we need the assistance in infrastructure funding from the province. We need an advocate for that,” said Allan Mayhew.
Also running in the Lambton-Kent-Middlesex by-election is Keith Benn for New Blue, Stephen R. Campbell for None of the Above, Andraena Tilgner for the Green Party, Hilda Watson for Family Rights and Cynthia Workman for the Ontario Party.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'Some structural damage' from wildfire near Fort Nelson, B.C., mayor confirms
More than one home has been damaged or lost due to a massive wildfire outside of the B.C. community of Fort Nelson, the mayor confirmed Wednesday.
'Very expensive lunch': Sask. driver says he got a cellphone ticket for using his points app in the drive-thru
A warning from a Saskatoon driver about using your fast-food app while in the drive-thru line — a trip to get some free lunch cost him a lot more than he bargained for.
B.C. YouTuber ordered to pay $350K for 'relentless' online defamation campaign
An 'unrepentant' YouTuber has been ordered to pay $350,000 in damages as compensation for a 'relentless' campaign of defamation waged online against a business owner and his company, the B.C. Supreme Court has ruled.
Chief says grave search at B.C. residential school brings things 'full circle'
Chief Robert Michell says relief isn't the right word to describe his reaction as the search begins for unmarked graves at the site of a former residential school he attended in northern British Columbia.
'Endless Shrimp' just one misstep for Red Lobster as it eyes bankruptcy protection
While it's unclear what these closures might mean for the 27 restaurants in Canada, Red Lobster is expected to file for bankruptcy protection in the U.S. this month.
B.C. man shot sex worker in the back during drug-fuelled birthday, court hears
A man from B.C.'s Lower Mainland has been sentenced to four years behind bars after shooting a sex worker in the back during a drug-fuelled 43rd birthday.
'Inhumane conditions': 68 dogs pulled from Winnipeg home
Nearly six dozen dogs were seized from a home Wednesday morning by the Winnipeg Humane Society. It is the largest known seizure of animals in the city’s history.
Ontario's 'Crypto King' Aiden Pleterski arrested
Of the $40-million Aiden Pleterski was handed over two years, documents show he invested just over one per cent and instead spent $15.9 million on "his personal lifestyle." The 25-year-old Oshawa, Ont. man was arrested and charged with fraud and money laundering on Tuesday.
Driver said he smoked pot oil, took medication before Florida crash that killed 8 Mexican workers
A man with a long record of dangerous driving told investigators he smoked marijuana oil and took prescription drugs hours before he sideswiped a bus, killing eight Mexican farmworkers and injuring dozens more, according to an arrest report unsealed Wednesday.