Watch above: Saskatoon candidates wasted no time, in fact, some have been knocking on doors for months. Carly Robinson met up with some of the candidates vying for votes in the 2015 federal election.
SASKATOON – Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s visit to Rideau Hall Sunday morning began one of the longest election campaigns in Canadian history. However, with candidates already out knocking on doors in Saskatoon, it’s like election season began a long time ago.
A political scientist with the University of Saskatchewan, David McGrane, believes that knowing the election date had candidates actively campaigning earlier.
“Because everyone knows when the election is, they’re just going to be permanently preparing for it. So, you’re in this era of perpetual election and permanent campaigning,” said McGrane.
READ MORE: And they’re off: Stephen Harper launches longest election campaign in Canadian history
Conservative Saskatoon-Grasswood candidate Kevin Waugh echoed the official start changes very little to his campaigning.
“It just gives more time to get prepared,” said Waugh.
Watch below: David McGrane, a University of Saskatchewan political science professor, looks at which ridings in the province may be in play for the 2015 federal election.
NDP Saskatoon-West candidate Sheri Benson agreed that the 11-week campaign gives more time for door knocking where “for the voters, it may help people bring some of the issues that are important to them on the doorstep.”
A key change for this election is the redrawing of electoral boundaries. While Saskatoon used to have four ridings that combined rural and urban areas, it will now have three completely urban ridings inside Saskatoon.
READ MORE: New federal ridings set for Saskatchewan
”That’s changed quite a bit the dynamics,” said McGrane.
“Generally speaking, the Conservatives were a bit stronger in the rural areas and a bit weaker in the urban areas in Saskatoon and around Saskatoon.”
Liberal Saskatoon West candidate Lisa Abbott thinks the new riding will have a big impact.
“It’s a completely diverse riding. I think it’s very exciting going into this election with it being a new urban only riding with no incumbent,” said Abbott.
“I think we’re all on a same level playing field and it will be a three-way race.”
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