Dufferin-Caledon candidates reflect on campaign trail
The Canadian federal election is days away, and many candidates across central and southern Ontario aren't slowing down.
In the riding of Dufferin-Caledon, blue, red, purple and green signs are scattered around the large jurisdiction as the candidates enter their fifth and final week of campaigning.
"It's been wild, it's been fun, it's been exciting, and it's been educational and energizing for me. I've gotten to meet some amazing people throughout the riding," said Jenni Le Forestier, the local green candidate.
Le Forestier is a music teacher and is looking to trade her instruments for podiums as she seeks a seat in Ottawa.
After years of being an environmental advocate in the area, she decided to get involved in politics to bring change to the riding.
"We are really at a predispose in Dufferin-Caledon, and especially Canada, as far as what we're going to do to address the climate emergency," said Le Forestier.
Le Forestier will be competing for a seat in Ottawa against Orangeville town councillor Lisa Post, who is stepping into the federal politics ring.
"It is fast and furious; it's been going really well, and the response at the door has been very positive. I've had some great conversations and some very tough conversations, but at the end of the day, the campaign is all about community and people," said Post on Saturday.
During the pandemic as a local councillor, Post said she was able to see the issues and vulnerabilities that the community faced— leading her to run as a Liberal in this year's election in the hopes of bringing solutions.
"I really wanted to take this opportunity to fill those gaps at a federal level," said Post. "I know our community; it's a complex community, and being able to represent us in Ottawa is exactly what I wanted to do."
CTV News attempted to contact NDP candidate Samantha Sanchez but did not hear back by broadcast deadline. Conservative incumbent Kyle Seeback denied CTV News' interview request.
On Saturday, both Post and Le Forestier said there is a common concern among voters, and that's affordability and climate change.
"In most areas of the riding, it's affordable living, so we've been able to talk about affordable plans, and climate change is top of mind for everyone as well," said Post.
"There's nothing available between million-dollar homes and really small basement suite apartments, so it's a tough challenge, and I think we need a national housing strategy to address that," said La Forestier.
Seeback won the 2019 federal election with 42 percent of the vote, with 69,063 votes cast.
Elections Canada reports there are 108,095 electors on the list.
Also running in this year's election are PPC candidate Anthony Zambito and Stephen McKendrick, an independent.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Cisco reveals security breach, warns of state-sponsored spy campaign
State-sponsored actors targeted security devices used by governments around the world, according to technology firm Cisco Systems, which said the network devices are coveted intrusion points by spies.
I just don't get Taylor Swift
It's one thing to say you like Taylor Swift and her music, but don't blame CNN's AJ Willingham's when she says she just 'oesn't get' the global phenomenom.
opinion RFK Jr.'s presidential candidacy and its potential threat to Biden and Trump
Although it's still unclear how much damage Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s candidacy can do to either Joe Biden or Donald Trump this election, Washington political columnist Eric Ham says what is clear is both sides recognize the potential threat.
Student anti-war protesters dig in as faculties condemn university leadership over calling police
Students protesting the Israel-Hamas war at at universities across U.S., some of whom have clashed with police in riot gear, dug in Saturday and vowed to keep their demonstrations going, while several school faculties condemned university presidents who have called in law enforcement to remove protesters.
Toxic testing standoff: Family leaves house over air quality
A Sherwood Park family says their new house is uninhabitable. The McNaughton's say they were forced to leave the house after living there for only a week because contaminants inside made it difficult to breathe.
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.
Hamas is reviewing an Israeli proposal for a ceasefire in Gaza, as possible Rafah offensive looms
Hamas said Saturday it was reviewing a new Israeli proposal for a ceasefire in Gaza, as Egypt intensified efforts to broker a deal to end the months-long war and stave off a possible Israeli ground offensive into the southern Gaza city of Rafah.
'The world is too messy for bureaucratic hurdles': Canada still bars Afghanistan aid
Ottawa has plans to finally stop blocking Canadian development aid to Afghanistan this year.
Harvey Weinstein due back in court, while a key witness weighs whether to testify at a retrial
Harvey Weinstein will appear in a New York City court next week, the first step in potentially retrying the film mogul after his 2020 rape conviction was overturned.