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
Several flight attendants from Pakistan have gone missing after landing in Canada
Multiple flight attendants from Pakistan International Airlines have abandoned their jobs and are believed to have sought asylum in Canada in the past year and a half, a spokesperson for the government-owned airline says.
Doctors visiting a Gaza hospital are stunned by the war's toll on Palestinian children
An international team of doctors visiting a hospital in central Gaza was prepared for the worst. But the gruesome impact Israel’s war against Hamas is having on Palestinian children still left them stunned.
BREAKING Ottawa public school board, 3 Toronto-area school boards launch lawsuit against social media giants
The Ottawa-Carleton District School Board and three school boards in the Toronto-area have launched legal action against social media giants, accusing them of "disrupting students' fundamental right to education."
Crypt near Marilyn Monroe and Hugh Hefner could fetch US$400,000 at auction
A one-space mausoleum crypt in the vicinity of Marilyn Monroe and Hugh Hefner will go on auction Saturday, when it is expected to reach between US$200,000 and $400,000.
This Toronto restaurant is no longer accepting tips. Here's how it's going
A Toronto restaurant introduced a surprising new rule that reduced the cost of a meal and raised the salaries of staff – tipping is no longer accepted.
A Nigerian woman reviewed some tomato puree online. Now she faces jail
A Nigerian woman who wrote an online review of a can of tomato puree is facing imprisonment after its manufacturer accused her of making a “malicious allegation” that damaged its business.
Premiers not being truthful about carbon tax, Trudeau says while sparks fly in Ottawa
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says Conservative premiers across the country are 'not telling the truth' when it comes to the carbon tax. Trudeau's comments came as fresh sparks were flying in Ottawa at a recalled House of Commons committee.
Far North police 'dispatch' polar bear stalking schoolyard
Police and local hunters in an Ontario Far North First Nation community have “dispatched” a polar that was showing abnormal behaviour and treating the area as a hunting ground.
Cargo ship had engine maintenance in port before Baltimore bridge collapse, officials say
The cargo ship that lost power and crashed into a bridge in Baltimore underwent 'routine engine maintenance' in port beforehand, the U.S. Coast Guard said Wednesday.