#Elxn42: Federal candidates face off in NDG-Westmount riding

MONTREAL – There may only be one riding in Canada that features a former astronaut, a prominent philanthropist and a successful entrepreneur.

The Notre-Dame-de-Grâce—Westmount riding is one of the most anglophone and affluent ridings in Quebec.

READ MORE: Justin Trudeau faces tough competition in Papineau riding

Marc Garneau, the Liberal candidate, has been an MP since 2008.

In his campaign, he emphasized the need to help families, introduce income tax cuts to the middle class and invest in infrastructure.

“We’re the only party offering a break to the middle class for their income tax,” Garneau told Global News.

“I’m hearing about how it’s important to spend money on affordable housing, including social housing and also on public transportation. We have all that in our platform.”

READ MORE: Humbert the cat seeks federal nomination in NDG

Running for the NDP is James Hughes, former deputy minister of social services in New Brunswick and the former head of the Old Brewery Mission.

He’s largely been toeing the NDP party line, talking about $15-a-day daycare, hiring more doctors and nurses and making social housing a priority.

“We’re just getting a sense that change is imminent,” said Hughes.

“Real change will only come with a government like the NDP.”

Hughes won the NDP nomination in a race against five other candidates, including former Montreal Gazette journalist Sue Montgomery and city councillor Peter McQueen.

The Conservative candidate is Richard Sagala.

He is the founder of the first private business school in Quebec, specializing in the wine trade.

“What I like so much about the Conservative platform is that we manage to create value, to add to the Canadian economy, while balancing the books and not passing on debt to future generations,” he said.

There is also one independent candidate seeking to claw its way to the top.

Humbert the cat is not just going for a walk with his owner – he’s running for office in NDG-Westmount.

His owner/campaign manager John Jordan said he’s got a competitive advantage over the other candidates.

“Because he’s got all four paws on the ground,” Jordan explained.

READ MORE: Federal Election 2015: Notre-Dame-de-Grâce—Westmount riding

In the 2011 election in the riding of Westmount-Ville-Marie, Garneau beat the NDP by less than 700 votes.

He is hoping that the Liberals, led by Justin Trudeau, will be able to widen the gap this time round in this key riding.

Westmount mayor Peter Trent has already put his support behind the Liberals.

According to Concordia Political Science professor, Guy Lachapelle, this will give an important boost to the Liberals.