Liberals eye West Nova riding after Greg Kerr does not re-offer

Before their prospects started looking rosier on the national stage, Liberals were confident they had a good chance of winning in West Nova, a rural farming and fishing riding that traditionally swings Liberal or Tory and coversYarmouth, Digby and Annapolis counties, plus part of Kings County.

Ten weeks of campaigning have Liberal candidate Colin Fraser feeling even better about his chances of winning the seat held since 2008 by the Conservatives.

"People are saying they do want change," the Yarmouth lawyer says.

"The polls all along have shown strength in Atlantic Canada.I think people have confidence in our plan and that is certainly going to show up in the poll results onOctober 19th."

West Nova Liberal candidate Colin Fraser

9 years ago

Duration 0:41

Colin Fraser explains why he is running for the Liberals in the federal election.

The unpopularity of Conservative Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Justin Trudeau's performance during the election are other factors working in his favour, he says.

The absence of Conservative incumbent Greg Kerr is another.

Conservatives turn to political assistant

West Nova is one of three ridings in Nova Scotia where the Conservative incumbent did not re-offer.

Arnold LeBlanc, a former municipal councillor, is tryingto hold on to it for the Conservatives.

For the past 6.5 years, he was the regional assistant and campaign manager for MP Greg Kerr. LeBlanc is one of three political assistants running for the Conservatives in Nova Scotia.

"I know the riding. I know the issues, the diversity. I think I know what needs to be done," saidLeBlanc.

"I'd like to continue basically to build on the MP's foundation, strong foundation."

West Nova Conservative candidate Arnold LeBlanc

9 years ago

Duration 0:36

Arnold LeBlanc explains why he is running for the Conservatives in the federal election.

LeBlanc derides the Liberal plan to spend an additional $60 billionon infrastructure over the next decade, warning it will "plunge" the country into debt and the jobs created will be short term.

He touts the payroll and small business tax cuts offered by the Tories.

"Its not the time to take a risk on our financial situation in Canada," said LeBlanc.

NDP hope "viable alternative" will reverse long slide

Greg Foster another former municipal councillor is running for the NDP.

The orange party has seen its share of the vote taper off in each of the last three elections. In 2011, their vote dropped to 13 per centin West Nova.

Foster says the widespread desire for change in the riding and Tom Mulcair's performance as leader of the Official Oppositionmakes this time different.

West Nova NDP candidate Greg Foster

9 years ago

Duration 1:01

Greg Foster describes why he is running for the NDP in this election.

"In this election, unlike previous elections, there is an alternative to the alternative,which is the New Democratic Party and they are looking very seriously at us," said Foster.

Retired Canadian Forces avionics technician Clark Walton is running for the Green party.

Like the Liberals, he touts his party's platform commitment on infrastructure spending. The Greens are promising to spend$3 billion on infrastructure per year, plus takeone per centof the revenue collected from the GST (about $6.5 billion) and also devote it to infrastructure spending.

Walton connects the mood for change to feelings about the prime minister.

"I'm hearing everything negative about Harper. I've heard nothing positive," he said.

"I've had the odd supporter, but they often don't want to talk a lot."

Harper albatross?

It is clear Harper is a factor in West Nova, so it's nosurprise the Conservative candidate plays it down and the Liberal plays it up.

"I think it will have a big impact on the election outcome here in West Nova.People do want a change...people are tired of the secrecy," saidFraser.

"You know I'd be lying to you if I didn't tell you I'vehad some comments at the door that some people would prefer someone else besides Stephen Harper, but on the same tone, the same hand, I'm hearing a lot of people that are saying to me that Stephen Harper is by far the strongest and best leader for this country," said LeBlanc.

Yarmouth ferry

Both LeBlancandFraser agree on the need for federal money to support ferry service in Yarmouththrough infrastructure spending.

LeBlanc envisions spending on a terminal once the question of a vessel operator is settled. He says the federal government would not provide an operating subsidy.

Fraser also would not commit to a federal operating subsidy.