Centretown politicians help their Ottawa-Vanier representatives campaign for upcoming federal by-election

By Liam McPherson

Centretown political operatives from all four major federal parties are pounding the pavement next door in Ottawa-Vanier in hopes of having their party’s candidate win the April 3 federal by-election.

Despite being a part of the neighbouring Ottawa Centre constituency, riding associations in Centretown have been providing resources to campaigns in Ottawa-Vanier. Through means such as phone banking, canvassing and fundraisers, a contest in one riding has become a city-wide event.

For Leonard Halladay, an employee at the constituency office of Ottawa Centre MP Catherine McKenna, helping Ottawa-Vanier Liberal candidate Mona Fortier’s campaign just makes sense.

“All of the Ottawa-Gatineau Liberal MPs were at Mona’s campaign launch. I know Catherine (McKenna) helped with a big riding-wide canvass last week, as well as phone banks,” he said.

Halladay said members of the executive of the Ottawa Centre Liberal Association, as well as staff from McKenna’s constituency office, have been in touch frequently with Fortier’s campaign to see what help they might provide in Ottawa-Vanier.

“The riding association has certainly been in touch with the Fortier campaign. It’s common sense that we help each other out, so we’re happy to do whatever they require of us.”

Halladay stressed that constituency office staff are helping out in the Ottawa-Vanier campaign on their own time, not during work hours, and that McKenna’s constituency office itself is not playing any role in the campaign.

Halladay wasn’t sure if any fundraisers would take place with McKenna present, but expected to see her out canvassing with Fortier again before the end of the campaign.

New Democrats from Centretown have joined the fray as well.

“We’re out canvassing, phone banking, very actively involved in whatever way we can be” says Oliver Kent, president of the Ottawa Centre NDP.

Kent is also the official agent for Ottawa-Vanier NDP candidate Emilie Taman.

Kent said Ottawa Centre New Democrats are encouraged to come out and support their counterparts in Ottawa-Vanier during the blitz, and can expect to be joined by federal NDP leadership candidate Peter Julian.

Zach Voth, a director with the Ottawa Centre Conservatives, said that while individual members have been involved with candidate Adrian Papara’s campaign in Ottawa-Vanier, he wasn’t sure if the association as a whole would be involved.

“Various members of the board and active volunteers are engaged in Ottawa-Vanier (…) but not directly related to the riding association.”

Voth said that while there is no “macro-level action as of now,” further involvement was to be discussed at the association’s next meeting.

Ottawa Centre Green Party members are also helping Nira Dookeran’s campaign in Ottawa Vanier “through any means needed,” said Andrew West, CEO of the Ottawa Centre Greens.

“We help deliver signs, we’re promoting her on social media, canvassing, calling constituents in Ottawa-Vanier. Whatever way we can be involved; we’re looking to do that,” he said.

As for any fundraisers featuring Green Party Leader Elizabeth May, West isn’t sure.

“She has been known to come out to support candidates from time to time, but she is very busy, and as of right now we’re not sure if she’ll make an appearance in Ottawa-Vanier.”

Voting in the by-election is restricted to those living in Ottawa-Vanier.