Election campaign in Parry Sound – Muskoka riding begins to heat up
The riding of Parry Sound–Muskoka has been a Conservative stronghold for most of its history. From 1957-1993, voters elected a Conservative representative every time. And after a 13-year Liberal stint, it again turned Conservative.
Incumbent Scott Aitchison is aiming for re-election for a second term. He is the former mayor of Huntsville and is bashing the Liberals on failed housing plans.
"There’s a desperate need in Parry Sound–Muskoka," said Aitchison. "Erin O’Toole has committed to building or renovating a million residential units in three years."
Aitchison won his first federal election in 2019 with almost 42 per cent of the vote.
The NDP is hoping Heather Hay, coordinator for Elder Abuse Prevention Muskoka, can unseat Aitchison. While she agrees about housing issues, she has a different approach for rural and remote communities.
"We don’t have the budget to make the matching funds that other bigger communities (can), so I’d like to have interest-free loans so we can compete for safe, affordable housing in the district," Hay said.
In 2019, the Green Party finished third. This time around, candidate Marc Mantha said there is much more support. Mantha ran for Gravenhurst town council in 2018.
"Mitigating the climate crisis creates a lot of prosperity," said Mantha. "You shift resources from things that are causing the climate crisis to programs that save us from it."
The Liberal candidate is Toronto Catholic School Board Teacher Jovanie Nicoyishakiye. She was unavailable for an interview, but did send a statement regarding her platform.
"I will fight against climate change, build houses that are more affordable and will bring back workers to this community and invest in small and medium businesses," Nicoyishakiye wrote.
The People’s People of Canada is fielding retired secondary school science teacher James Tole as its candidate. Meanwhile, Daniel Predie Jr. is running as an independent and James Fawcett is running for the National Citizens Alliance Party.
More than 76,000 people are eligible to vote in the riding. Election day is Sept. 20.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Former homicide detective explains how police will investigate shooting outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion
Footage from dozens of security cameras in the area of Drake’s Bridle Path mansion could be the key to identifying the suspect responsible for shooting and seriously injuring a security guard outside the rapper’s sprawling home early Tuesday morning, a former Toronto homicide detective says.
Federal government grants B.C.'s request to recriminalize hard drugs in public spaces
The federal government is granting British Columbia's request to recriminalize hard drugs in public spaces, nearly two weeks after the province asked to end its pilot project early over concerns of public drug use.
Stormy Daniels describes meeting Trump during occasionally graphic testimony in hush money trial
Stormy Daniels took the witness stand Tuesday at Donald Trump's hush money trial, describing for jurors a sexual encounter the porn actor says she had with him in 2006 that resulted in her being paid off to keep silent during the presidential race 10 years later.
MPs agree Canadian gov't should improve new disability benefit
The federal government needs to safeguard the incoming Canada Disability Benefit from clawbacks and do more to ensure it actually meets the stated aim of lifting people living with disabilities out of poverty, MPs from all parties agree.
Bye-bye bag fee: Calgary repeals single-use bylaw
A Calgary bylaw requiring businesses to charge a minimum bag fee and only provide single-use items when requested has officially been tossed.
CFL suspends Argos QB Chad Kelly at least nine games following investigation
The CFL suspended Toronto Argonauts quarterback Chad Kelly for at least nine regular-season games Tuesday following its investigation into a lawsuit filed by a former strength-and-conditioning coach against both the player and club.
Boy Scouts of America changing name for first time in 114 years, aiming for inclusivity
The Boy Scouts of America is changing its name for the first time in its 114-year history and will become Scouting America. It's a significant shift as the organization emerges from bankruptcy following a flood of sexual abuse claims and seeks to focus on inclusion.
opinion Tom Mulcair: Trudeau's handling of Poilievre's 'wacko' House turfing a clear sign of Liberal desperation
When Speaker Greg Fergus tossed out Pierre Poilievre from the House last week, "those of us who have experience as parliamentarians simply couldn't believe our eyes," writes former NDP leader Tom Mulcair in his column for CTVNews.ca
New charges for Ont. woman who previously admitted to defrauding doulas
The Brantford, Ont. woman who was previously sentenced to house arrest after admitting to deceiving doulas has been charged again in connection to a new victim.