Angry crowds result in cancelled, disrupted Trudeau campaign events
The Liberal leader’s campaign picked up this weekend, after a short pause pre-punctuated with a rare event cancellation due to safety concerns over protesters plaguing Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. But it didn’t go quietly. This most recent incident occurred on Aug. 29, during a Sunday stump speech intended to promote his party’s climate change policies in […]
O’Toole’s opioid crisis plan part of a ‘broader move’ to the left, says pollster
The Conservatives’ new plan to tackle Canada’s opioid crisis, treating it as a national health emergency to help those battling drug addiction, is evidence that the party is attempting to court more voters on the left, according to one pollster. “It seems to be part of a general attempt to open up a position much […]
Peaks and pitfalls: parties’ social media presence could make or break campaigns
It’s unclear whether a party’s social media effectiveness directly translates into electoral success, but the various approaches used during the campaign will have some kind of impact come election day, political and marketing experts say. Digital campaigns may be particularly important this year, given the increased focus on online spaces during the pandemic. “This campaign, […]
Supporters irked as parties eschew competition amid tight deadline to fill candidate slots
With parties rushing to fill their slate of candidates just over a month from the federal election, some grassroots supporters have been angered as candidates are being green lit without a competitive nomination fight. Tight deadlines have led to parties handpicking candidates, which one former MP says can lead to more electoral success than having […]
Rising NDP support more of a ‘serious threat’ to a Liberal majority than Conservatives, say some pollsters
Rising support for the NDP in public opinion polls is more of a threat to a potential Liberal majority in the next election than the opposition Conservatives, say some pollsters. “Are they a serious threat to a Liberal majority? Yeah, absolutely,” said Ekos Research president Frank Graves in an interview with The Hill Times. “In […]
Homeless green voters are an election wild card
CHELSEA, QUE.—While forests burn, glaciers melt, droughts threaten, and no end of climate disruption feeds an undercurrent of concern across the country, green-motivated voters can be forgiven for feeling confused and adrift. Their obvious home, the Green Party, has been imploding. Its senior ranks have been squabbling over Israel and Palestine, while its besieged leader, […]
NDP ad previews political fight for progressive votes, makes ‘compelling case,’ say digital experts
The NDP’s new advertisement contrasting leader Jagmeet Singh’s political record with that of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s is an effective appeal to progressive voters, according to two digital campaign experts. The 30-second advertisement compares Mr. Singh’s (Burnaby South, B.C.) policy positions over the course of the pandemic with that of Mr. Trudeau’s (Papineau, Que.), such […]
Money talks: Bloc’s fundraising may be cause for concern for Grits, Tories in Quebec
Politicos are gearing up for an impending election call with party leaders, incumbent MPs, and candidates already busy hitting the pavement, and Conservatives are heading into the likely election once again with the best-stocked war chest, having raised almost $6-million more than the Liberals in 2020. “Clearly, Conservatives have the advantage on better organization techniques […]
‘Slightly odd group of people’: political passion drives party executives behind the scenes
A speculative election season may bring a ramp-up of responsibility and change in workflows, but for the executives who volunteer their time to run federal political parties, this is what they live for. Those in these party executive and national council positions are elected and serve on a voluntary basis. Their responsibilities include typical party […]
With McKenna out, NDP sees opportunity to recapture Ottawa Centre
Following the news that Liberal MP Catherine McKenna won’t be seeking re-election in Ottawa Centre, Ont., the NDP is hoping to use the two-term MP’s exit as an opportunity to flip the riding back to its orange ways. The riding, which has been represented provincially by Ontario NDP MPP Joel Harden since 2018 and was represented […]
