Delta voters will finally get the chance to cast their ballots Monday as the longest federal election campaign in recent memory comes to a close.
Conservative incumbent Kerry-Lynne Findlay, Liberal Carla Qualtrough, New Democrat Jeremy Leveque and Anthony Devellano of the Greens have spent the last 11 weeks campaigning in the new riding of Delta, which finally brings North Delta and South Delta together and no longer lumped in with either Richmond or Surrey.
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Polls suggest B.C. will be a tight, three-way race, although it remains to be seen whether that will play out in Delta, which has long been a Conservative stronghold.
What seems certain is the level of interest in this year's election is high across the country as Elections Canada says an estimated 3.6 million people voted during four days of advance polls, which represents a 71 per cent increase over the three days of advance polling in 2011. More than 500,000 British Columbians voted in those polls, with 11,679 Deltans casting ballots.
In Delta, the high turnout at all-candidates meetings, which saw a large contingent of vocal supporters come out for the Conservative, NDP and Liberal candidates, is another sign of a higher level of interest in the campaign.
Drawing some heat for not attending the first all-candidates forum in Ladner, Findlay is a first-term MP who rose quickly through the ranks in Stephen Harper's government to become minister of national revenue. She has campaigned on her government's fiscal record and other issues, including protecting the country from terrorism, while also highlighting what she's done to benefit the riding and raise its profile.
Harper made a campaign stop in Ladner last month and had high praise for Findlay.
Her opponents have campaigned hard on what's wrong with the Harper's government and the need for change. Qualtrough slammed the Conservatives over what she said is a lack of decency with their campaign, which she contends has been filled with misinformation, further exposing the need for change.
Both Leveque and Qualtrough have been critical of what they say is a watered-down environmental assessment process, with the NDP candidate noting there's no valid business case for the proposed Terminal 2 at Roberts Bank.
As far as how the campaign has unfolded, Devellano, who admitted he's had little organizational support backing him up, said that, so far, all participants in Delta have "kept it classy." No character assassination has gone on, which
is a miracle when compared with the tenor of the national campaign, he added. Also saying he's glad the Delta campaign was void of nastiness, Leveque noted Deltans deeply care about their issues.
"I was really pleased to see people here are still as passionate about the issues that are important to them and still want the kind of quality representation that I've known that they've wanted, but confirmed speaking to them at the door. They're ready for the kind of change we're offering and think we are still the best place to defeat the Conservatives. The conversations I've had at the door are incredibly encouraging," he said.
Qualtrough said she's filled with anticipation as well as gratitude for her volunteer support, saying the campaign has reinforced her belief in the fundamental goodness of people. "Delta voters expect strong local representation and hold their elected officials to account. Our riding will potentially tip the balance of power in Ottawa. Our votes matter locally but this time nationally our voices will count significantly," Qualtrough said. "I know voters are engaged; we only need to look to the turnout for the advanced polls to know that people have had enough."
Findlay said she met thousands of Deltans and wants to thank them for enthusiasm and support to elect someone who will bring the perspective and concerns of the community directly to the decisionmakers in Ottawa. "Throughout this campaign the one message that I've heard over and over is that Deltans are concerned about Canada's economy and the path on which we're headed," she said. "Deltans want leaders who will protect their jobs, support their families and create the conditions for economic growth, while at the same time fighting for the things that make our community unique: our heritage, our culture, our environment and our freedom." Devellano has tried to convey that a Green MP is the only one that would be able to represent the riding without party interference.
