OTTAWA – Conservative Leader Stephen Harper heads today to Abbotsford, B.C., an area where his party has been strong but is facing a determined challenge from the New Democrats.
Before that, Harper will make a morning announcement related to resource development at a mining products facility in North Bay, Ont., where his party is hoping to shore up a Tory candidate who squeaked into the Commons in the last election by a mere 18 votes over the Liberal incumbent, who is in for a rematch this time.
Even though the riding has traditionally been a red-blue fight, the NDP made solid gains in 2011.
Harper’s arrival in North Bay coincides with the latest stop of the postal workers’ union tour, which is focused on cuts at Canada Post. The union has been a vocal supporter of the New Democrats.
NDP Leader Tom Mulcair, who visited the Nipissing-Timiskaming riding a few days before the Oct. 19 election was called, has just a single event in British Columbia.
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Mulcair has spent the past two days trying to boost support in Conservative ridings in B.C., including Kamloops-Lake Country and North Okanagan-Shuswap.
He’s been focusing on his plans to enhance tourism and improve disaster response, in light of wildfires that have wreaked havoc in wine country this summer.
Justin Trudeau, who has yet to visit North Bay and has been pressing the flesh in Quebec, will stay in the province as his Liberals try to beat back what polls suggest is a surge from the New Democrats.
He starts his day in Trois-Rivieres before heading to the provincial capital to meet the mayor of Quebec City in the afternoon and attend an evening rally.
Green Leader Elizabeth May spends the day in Fredericton, with several events and rallies.
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