Going Green? Can Parry Sound-Muskoka be swayed from tradition
The Green Party has set its sights on the riding of Parry Sound-Muskoka, ramping up resources as early polling puts the party in a close race to earn a seat at Queen's Park.
Five-time Green Party candidate Matt Richter says the party has been picking up momentum with each election.
"To have the support from the Green Party is going to help us get over the top and really get the imagination of this riding going Green. From imagination to reality."
Federal MP Elizabeth May arrived from British Columbia to show her support Friday.
"There's a lot of volunteer energy that's come here, like me, to show up to say and encourage voters in Parry Sound-Muskoka to make history," May says, pointing to her own success in gaining a seat in parliament. "I defeated back in 2011, and I was the first Green ever elected in Canada."
Cottage country has traditionally swayed blue, but political analyst Michael Johns says the Green Party's focus on its end game could prove beneficial.
"For the Green Party, their goal is to move from having one seat up to two and becoming an established party in the legislature."
He notes the Greens are making a smart move in the Parry Sound-Muskoka riding.
"In the last week of the campaign, if your goal is not to win the election, but to win another seat, then yes, you throw everything you can at the seat that gives you the best chance at that."
Richter is running against New Democrat Erin Horvath, Progressive Conservative Graydon Smith, Andrew John Cocks with the Ontario Party, Doug Maynard with New Blue, Independent Daniel Predie Jr., and Brad Waddell with Populist Ontario.
The Liberal Party does not have a candidate running in the riding.
With files from CTV's Catalina Gillies
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
CFIA monitoring for avian flu in Canadian dairy cattle after U.S. discoveries
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is encouraging veterinarians to keep an eye out for signs of avian influenza in dairy cattle following recent discoveries of cases of the disease in U.S. cow herds.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
DEVELOPING G7 warns of new sanctions against Iran as world reacts to apparent Israeli drone attack
Group of Seven foreign ministers warned of new sanctions against Iran on Friday for its drone and missile attack on Israel, and urged both sides to avoid an escalation of the conflict.
After hearing thousands of last words, this hospital chaplain has advice for the living
Hospital chaplain J.S. Park opens up about death, grief and hearing thousands of last words, and shares his advice for the living.
Vancouver firefighter in rehab at home after losing leg to flesh-eating infection overseas
A family trip took a frightening turn for Christopher Won when he was diagnosed with flesh-eating disease while in Hong Kong and now, after weeks of treatment overseas, the Vancouver firefighter is back home recovering.
WATCH Video shows dramatic police takedown of carjacking suspects chased through parking lot north of Toronto
Police have released video footage of a dramatic takedown of a group of teens wanted in connection with an attempted carjacking in Markham earlier this month.
WHO likely to issue wider alert on contaminated cough syrup
The World Health Organization is likely to issue a wider warning about contaminated Johnson and Johnson-made children's cough syrup found in Nigeria last week, it said in an email.
Advocacy groups speak out against domestic violence comments by Nova Scotia minister
Several Nova Scotia groups that assist women are speaking out against comments on domestic violence by Justice Minister Brad Johns, and at least one is calling for his dismissal.