Candidates in the Montreal Byelection Hit the Streets for Early Voting Outreach
Advanced voting began on Friday in Montreal’s LaSalle-Émard-Verdun riding, with party leaders rallying support for the upcoming federal byelection on Sept. 16.
Recent polls indicate a three-way competition between the Liberal Party of Canada, the Bloc Québécois, and the New Democratic Party. Despite LaSalle-Émard-Verdun being a Liberal stronghold, NDP candidate Craig Sauvé is optimistic about his chances.
“I sense the potential for a victorious election. I have felt this way before,” expressed Sauvé, who also serves as a city councillor in Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante’s administration.
“Among the three major parties, we have the largest group of volunteers. There are hundreds of them,” stated the 43-year-old as he canvassed with NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh.
During their walk past Lévis-Sauvé elementary school, teacher Céline-Audrey Beauregard recognized Sauvé and warmly invited him to her class.
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Beauregard shared excitedly that she had been discussing the byelections with her students and eagerly chased after Sauvé when she spotted him passing by their window.
When asked about the NDP’s potential for success, Singh responded, “People love Craig. The Liberals have let you down. People are struggling to afford groceries and rent. The NDP is restoring hope.”
Outside an advanced polling station, George, a senior citizen in search of housing, declined to disclose his choice of candidate.
“All the parties presented their views well during the campaign,” he remarked.
However, Paola Castro, another early voter, openly declared her support for Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre.
Diane Kipling explained that voting early assists the NDP volunteer team in organizing their election day strategy.
Another candidate, Louis-Philippe Sauvé of the Bloc Québécois, voiced confidence in his campaign success.
He highlighted the different concerns of voters based on their locality within the riding and discussed the issues of public safety, the environment, climate change, and housing.
The Bloc Québécois plans to send a delegation to support their candidate in the riding.
The Liberal Party is backing Laura Palestini after their recent upset in the Toronto-St. Paul’s byelection. Cabinet ministers such as François-Philippe Champagne, Steven Guilbeault, Mélanie Joly, Pablo Rodriguez, and Marc Miller have been campaigning with Palestini.
The riding was previously held by former Liberal MP David Lametti until his resignation in January.
As for the Conservatives, Louis Ialenti is the party’s candidate, but details about his campaign were not available.
