Local candidates expecting federal election call - race underway in Lethbridge riding
Jobs, leadership and handling of the pandemic moving forward are expected to be among the issues in the Lethbridge riding as candidates prepare for the upcoming federal election campaign.
At this point, three parties have selected their candidates for the election that will be held Sept. 20.
It has been less than two years since the last federal election, which saw Rachael Harder, of the Conservative Party of Canada re-elected for a second term, by gathering over 65 per cent of the vote.
Harder, who believes in being prepared, said there were signs of an early election, and she has already been door knocking.
“Together with my team we’ve knocked on over 10,000 doors so far this summer,” said Harder.
ECONOMIC RECOVERY
She added one of the biggest topics at the door-step has been economic recovery.
“They’re telling me life is less affordable than ever,” said Harder.
“Some people are talking about jobs that have been lost, jobs that are being looked for, and wanting to know there is hope for them as a family or an individual.”
Harder was travelling back to the riding from Ottawa on Monday. She maintains this election will be about which leader is best equipped to elevate and empower Canadians, “I would say that Trudeau has actually hindered Canadians from being their best selves. Instead he has positioned himself in such a way that the government will do it for Canadians.”
Local Liberal candidate Devon Hargreaves said there were signs an election was coming. He said the COVID-19 pandemic has brought unprecedented challenges for the province and country, and the government is seeking a mandate to determine how to move the country forward over the next four years.
Hargreaves said Albertans have already seen what a Conservative government looks like in the form of Jason Kenney’s provincial government, “He’s a former (federal) cabinet minister," Hargreaves said. "Now we are seeing what that conservative mindset and mandate is doing to Alberta.”
Hargreaves said there are a lot of people are hurting from the cuts the UCP government made in Alberta.
“My fear is that if the Conservatives were to win an election, we would be looking at that on a national scale.”
Hargreaves maintains the federal Liberal government has been there for Canadians, by offering benefits to the agriculture industry, and starting to move toward $10 a day child care across the nation.
“Lethbridge deserves a seat at the table in Ottawa," he said.
PEOPLE'S PARTY
The People’s Party of Canada will be represented by Lethbridge small business owner Kimmie Hovan, who said she wants to be a voice for everyday Canadians.
“This campaign is basically trying to let people see they have another voice within this country,” said Hovan, who decided to get involved in March of last year, as the pandemic was beginning.
“We’ve had three main parties so long, and we just cycle through them. In order to have change you have to break the cycle,” added Hovan.
The PPC is against further lockdowns and is opposed to the concept of vaccine passports.
Party founder and current leader Maxime Bernier has been strongly critical of public health measures taken to combat the COVID-19 pandemic and travelled to anti-lockdown protests throughout the country in 2021. In June Bernier was arrested and fined by the RCMP in Manitoba after attending a rally against restrictions.
Hovan said she expects handling of COVID-19 will be one of the issues during this campaign, but said more focus should be placed on issues such as improving the economy and building resources.
Hovan admits it will be a challenge to represent a party that gathered just over 1,000 votes in the Lethbridge riding in 2019, compared to almost 41,000 for Rachael Harder.
During the last federal election there were six candidates in the Lethbridge Riding. The NDP, Christian Heritage Party of Canada and Green Party of Canada have not yet announced candidates in Lethbridge.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
LIVE B.C. seeks ban on using drugs in 'all public spaces,' shifting approach to decriminalization
The B.C. government is moving to have drug use banned in 'all public spaces,' marking a major shift in the province's approach to decriminalization.
Air traveller complaints to Canadian Transportation Agency hit new high
The Canadian Transportation Agency has hit a record high of more than 71,000 complaints in a backlog. The quasi-judicial regulator and tribunal tasked with settling disputes between customers and the airlines says the backlog is growing because the number of incoming complaints keeps increasing.
Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
More than 115 cases of eye damage reported in Ontario after solar eclipse
More than 115 people who viewed the solar eclipse in Ontario earlier this month experienced eye damage after the event, according to eye doctors in the province.
U.S. flight attendant indicted in attempt to record teen girl in airplane bathroom
An American Airlines flight attendant was indicted Thursday after authorities said he tried to secretly record video of a 14-year-old girl using an airplane bathroom last September.
76ers All-Star centre Joel Embiid says he has Bell's palsy
Philadelphia 76ers All-Star centre Joel Embiid has been diagnosed with Bell’s palsy, a form of facial paralysis he says has affected him since before the play-in tournament.
AFN chief says Air Canada offered a 15% discount after her headdress was mishandled
After the Assembly of First Nations' national chief complained to Air Canada about how staffers treated her and her ceremonial headdress on a flight this week, she says the airline responded by offering a 15 per cent discount on her next flight.
Trump's lawyers try to discredit testimony of prosecution's first witness in hush money trial
Donald Trump's defence team attacked the credibility Friday of the prosecution's first witness in his hush money case, seeking to discredit testimony detailing a scheme between Trump and a tabloid to bury negative stories to protect the Republican's 2016 presidential campaign.