Voters in Vaughan, Ont., will choose their next federal representative today in the fiercest of three federal byelections that could alter Canada's political landscape.
The long-time Liberal stronghold just north of Toronto is up for grabs after MP Maurizio Bevilacqua stepped down to become the city's mayor earlier this year.
The southern Ontario city, which has voted Liberal for the past two decades, will choose between staying Grit by voting for Tony Genco or backing the star Conservative candidate Julian Fantino.
While Conservatives are looking to pick up the southern Ontario seat, the Liberals are hoping to make headway in two Manitoba ridings held by the NDP and Conservatives, in what could be the last test of leadership before the next federal election.
The three byelections come amid speculation that a federal election will be called after the next budget in February or March.
Winnipeg North and Dauphin-Swan River-Marquette are also electing new members of Parliament today.
"Everybody has been looking and focusing on Vaughan because of the high-profile Conservative candidate. The Conservatives are hoping to convert that – that is a likely upset," pollster Nik Nanos told CTV News Channel on Monday.
Nanos said the Conservatives likely had Dauphin-Swan River in the bag, but that Winnipeg North was still up for grabs.
"Although the NDP hold Winnipeg North, the Liberals have a strong candidate and it has been a very interesting race that has focused on crime in Winnipeg North. That is going to be another very interesting race to watch."
The Vaughan byelection has stirred up a hornet's nest in parliament with the Liberals and Conservatives dragging the debate onto the floor of the House of Commons and coming to the vocal support of their chosen candidate.
The Liberal Party has raised questions about failings during his time as commissioner of the Ontario Provincial Police, including expenses incurred during the G20 summit that have not been made public.
Popular Liberal MP Justin Trudeau attacked Fantino for suggesting in his biography that the Charter of Rights and Freedoms most benefits common criminals and the Hells Angels.
The Conservatives have retorted by suggesting Genco was given a job at Toronto's Downsview Park after working as an advisor to the previous Liberal government.
Fantino has been keeping a low profile in the media, explaining that he has been too busy canvassing voters to speak to reporters.
He has also missed at least one public debate, reportedly to attend a memorial service for his father-in-law.
In a statement to ctvtoronto.ca, Fantino said he has met with thousands of residents and done "countless interviews."
"Meeting so many residents is a humbling experience and I am grateful for all the support I have received so far," he said. "What I am hearing at the doors and in meetings is clear, residents are looking for a member of Parliament with a proven track-record of getting things done as a public servant and community leader."
For the Conservatives, Vaughan represents a chance to make inroads into to Greater Toronto Area, a riding-rich zone that has tended toward Liberal representatives.
Vaughan has voted Liberal for the past 22 years. A Tory win there could act as a beachhead into Toronto and weaken Michael Ignatieff's Liberal leadership.
But a Conservative victory in Vaughan will be an up-hill battle. The riding has one of the strongest Liberal support bases in the country.
Genco, a local business leader and former Liberal advisor, could be buoyed by the region's strong Liberal ties.
Nanos said the perception that Fantino has been limiting his availability is an indication that the Conservatives think they are ahead in Vaughan.
Nanos sees Vaughan a testing ground for Conservative election strategy. If voters respond to their focus on crime, they will likely expand that message during the next full election.
"The Conservatives know that if they want to get to a majority (government) they have to start nibbling into the 905 and suburban Ontario. Vaughan is a prime target for them," he said.
In Manitoba, two byelections are less likely to change party hands, but the Liberals are hoping to at least see some growth from paltry results in 2008.
In Winnipeg North, popular Liberal MLA Kevin Lamoureux squares off against the NDP's Kevin Chief. The riding was left unguarded by 13-year NDP representative Judy Wasylycia-Leis, who made a failed mayoral bid.
The Conservatives are running a no-show candidate in the hopes that Chief can stop the Liberals from making gains in the West.
Lamoureux is expected to improve on the eight per cent support the Liberals tallied in the 2008 election.
The riding of Dauphin-Swan River-Marquette, meantime, is a Conservative stronghold that has been represented by the retiring Inky Mark for the past 13 years.
It is anticipated that Tory candidate Robert Sopuck will cruise to a victory in the rural riding. The question is whether Liberal contender Christopher Scott Sarna can improve on the 14 per cent the Liberals garnered in the last election.
With files from The Canadian Press
http://toronto.ctv.ca/servlet/an/lo...es-fantino-genco/20101129/?hub=TorontoNewHome
The long-time Liberal stronghold just north of Toronto is up for grabs after MP Maurizio Bevilacqua stepped down to become the city's mayor earlier this year.
The southern Ontario city, which has voted Liberal for the past two decades, will choose between staying Grit by voting for Tony Genco or backing the star Conservative candidate Julian Fantino.
While Conservatives are looking to pick up the southern Ontario seat, the Liberals are hoping to make headway in two Manitoba ridings held by the NDP and Conservatives, in what could be the last test of leadership before the next federal election.
The three byelections come amid speculation that a federal election will be called after the next budget in February or March.
Winnipeg North and Dauphin-Swan River-Marquette are also electing new members of Parliament today.
"Everybody has been looking and focusing on Vaughan because of the high-profile Conservative candidate. The Conservatives are hoping to convert that – that is a likely upset," pollster Nik Nanos told CTV News Channel on Monday.
Nanos said the Conservatives likely had Dauphin-Swan River in the bag, but that Winnipeg North was still up for grabs.
"Although the NDP hold Winnipeg North, the Liberals have a strong candidate and it has been a very interesting race that has focused on crime in Winnipeg North. That is going to be another very interesting race to watch."
The Vaughan byelection has stirred up a hornet's nest in parliament with the Liberals and Conservatives dragging the debate onto the floor of the House of Commons and coming to the vocal support of their chosen candidate.
The Liberal Party has raised questions about failings during his time as commissioner of the Ontario Provincial Police, including expenses incurred during the G20 summit that have not been made public.
Popular Liberal MP Justin Trudeau attacked Fantino for suggesting in his biography that the Charter of Rights and Freedoms most benefits common criminals and the Hells Angels.
The Conservatives have retorted by suggesting Genco was given a job at Toronto's Downsview Park after working as an advisor to the previous Liberal government.
Fantino has been keeping a low profile in the media, explaining that he has been too busy canvassing voters to speak to reporters.
He has also missed at least one public debate, reportedly to attend a memorial service for his father-in-law.
In a statement to ctvtoronto.ca, Fantino said he has met with thousands of residents and done "countless interviews."
"Meeting so many residents is a humbling experience and I am grateful for all the support I have received so far," he said. "What I am hearing at the doors and in meetings is clear, residents are looking for a member of Parliament with a proven track-record of getting things done as a public servant and community leader."
For the Conservatives, Vaughan represents a chance to make inroads into to Greater Toronto Area, a riding-rich zone that has tended toward Liberal representatives.
Vaughan has voted Liberal for the past 22 years. A Tory win there could act as a beachhead into Toronto and weaken Michael Ignatieff's Liberal leadership.
But a Conservative victory in Vaughan will be an up-hill battle. The riding has one of the strongest Liberal support bases in the country.
Genco, a local business leader and former Liberal advisor, could be buoyed by the region's strong Liberal ties.
Nanos said the perception that Fantino has been limiting his availability is an indication that the Conservatives think they are ahead in Vaughan.
Nanos sees Vaughan a testing ground for Conservative election strategy. If voters respond to their focus on crime, they will likely expand that message during the next full election.
"The Conservatives know that if they want to get to a majority (government) they have to start nibbling into the 905 and suburban Ontario. Vaughan is a prime target for them," he said.
In Manitoba, two byelections are less likely to change party hands, but the Liberals are hoping to at least see some growth from paltry results in 2008.
In Winnipeg North, popular Liberal MLA Kevin Lamoureux squares off against the NDP's Kevin Chief. The riding was left unguarded by 13-year NDP representative Judy Wasylycia-Leis, who made a failed mayoral bid.
The Conservatives are running a no-show candidate in the hopes that Chief can stop the Liberals from making gains in the West.
Lamoureux is expected to improve on the eight per cent support the Liberals tallied in the 2008 election.
The riding of Dauphin-Swan River-Marquette, meantime, is a Conservative stronghold that has been represented by the retiring Inky Mark for the past 13 years.
It is anticipated that Tory candidate Robert Sopuck will cruise to a victory in the rural riding. The question is whether Liberal contender Christopher Scott Sarna can improve on the 14 per cent the Liberals garnered in the last election.
With files from The Canadian Press
http://toronto.ctv.ca/servlet/an/lo...es-fantino-genco/20101129/?hub=TorontoNewHome
