Though the federal election could be many months away, one Sudbury riding politician is knocking on doors already.
“I have been campaigning, knocking on doors since April, five days per week three to four hours per day,” said Gerry Labelle, federal conservative candidate.
The Conservative candidate, of francophone and Algonquin First Nations heritage, said he talks to each voter.
“Why should people vote for someone they have not met?” asked Labelle.
He works as a community development and training consultant for Angelis Consultants. Their clients includes First Nations, community organizations and even environmental organizations such as the Greater Sudbury Environment Network.
Labelle was one of four founders of Music and Film in Motion and was past president of L'Arche, an organization which assists the developmentally handicapped and is on the board of Landmark Co-op.
Labelle said most people don't seem to want an election.
“Minority government is working. They like the GST decrease and the tax breaks,” said Labelle.
Labelle said his pitch to voters is that the riding, which has not elected a conservative for 72 years, needs an MP who represents the government in power.
Liberal MP Diane Marleau said Thursday while she has her campaign manager in place, Fern Cormier, and elections signs ready to go, she has not been actively going door to door yet.
“I am chair of the federal women's caucus of the party, so I have been meeting with various women's groups across the country,” said Marleau.
Marleau said she does not get the sense that people want the Liberals to bring down the government in the next few months.
“I thought we should have dumped them sooner, but whatever my leader, Stephane Dion, decides, then I am ready to go,” she said.
The long-serving politician and former cabinet minister said she has noted a lot of interest locally in getting a passport office for the city.
Other local concerns are the lack of tradespeople for local businesses and lack of federal support for CEMI, the mining innovation and research centre, said Marleau.
The NDP campaign is still without a contestant since Gerry McIntaggart stepped out for family reasons, said NDP stalwart and former candidate, Dave Battaino Monday.
“It is my understanding that two high-profile females are about to step forward,” said Battaino.
The NDP made strong showings in the past two elections, coming second.
“I did improve my standings by 1,000 votes in 2006. I hate to have stepped out but my family needs me more,” said McIntaggart.
Green Party candidate Gordon Harris said he was not knocking on doors yet, but after he gets some projects finished he will have four months or so free this fall to campaign.
Harris, who is currently self-employed, has been a TV producer in Toronto, worked in political campaigns, and been involved in sales.
He contributes to the community by being president of the Sudbury Arts Council, is a marketing member of the Downtown Business improvement association, and contributes as a volunteer to Northern Lights Festival Boreal and Cinefest.
Locally, Harris said voters have told him their big concern is whether the results of the Sudbury Soil Study are believable.
