Campaign Update: Newmarket-Aurora Week 2
After a successful first week on the campaign trail, week 2 followed up nicely for us. Over the past two weeks we had some great weekend events that allowed us to begin focusing on the canvassing efforts where we will identify the vote and later do everything we can to get it out on election day. Lois Brown has been working steady for over two years knocking on doors. As a priority riding, national party has been very supportive by calling into the riding and confirming sign locations, recruiting volunteers and identifying support. Right now we have identified thousands of supporters, secured well over a thousand lawn sign requests and have a strong volunteer base to take us forward in the campaign. Those efforts are appreciated and could very well make the difference in this close riding.
Some highlights of the campaign week include:
-An appearance by Industry Minister Jim Prentice at our fundraiser and later picked up in the Era Banner. Prentice took time to knock on doors with Lois last Friday. Michael Ignatieff also came into the riding encouraging our town council to "treat itself" to a spending spree despite these uncertain economic times. “We should be cutting a lot of ribbons July 1, 2017. It will cost a lot of money, ya. But we’re a rich country and we should be doing that,” Mr. Ignatieff said. Sources on the Liberal side say it wasn't well attended.
-A clear win in the sign war. We will now refocus our efforts on canvassing while maintaining our advantage and continuing to field sign requests.
-I had a fun debate on John Taylor's new show on Rogers 10 against Chris Emanuel and Ed Chudak. Stephen Somerville also did a great job representing the Conservatives the following night.
-Finally computers are now in our office allowing us to fully utilize our CIMS database, the internet and modern technology.
-Wednesday at Coras - we had a volunteer rally and signed up several new volunteers to get involved. Many of those new volunteers are already playing large roles in our campaign.
-On Saturday we opened our Aurora headquarters on Yonge St. where Frank Klees, several municipal politicians, and Justice Minister Rob Nicholson showed up along with 200 supporters. The location is great from a visibility perspective and also gives us representation in both Newmarket and Aurora. In Newmarket we are located on the corner of Muluck and Bayview.
-Further modifications were being made to www.loisbrown.ca and we also launched a new way to communicate with our constituents through a site called www.askloisbrown.ca. Our online efforts continue through our use of email marketing, the internet, blogging and Facebook.
-Lois continues to attend community events going on in the riding. She participated in the Terry Fox Run and also the Heart and Stroke Foundation walk these past two weekends.
-Our first literature piece went out and should arrive in people's mail boxes over the next few days.
-Electionprediction.org is now calling Newmarket-Aurora for the Conservative Party! Democraticspace.com was calling this riding Conservative but has now placed it back in the "too close to call" column. Our own polling is consistent with these results.
-Nationally we picked up a 16 point lead over the Liberals. If these numbers continue, Newmarket-Aurora will be the first in the GTA to change colours. We want to be part of the trend moving blue support to the South and around the 416. Things are encouraging in Halton, Missisauga and other crucial 905 ridings. Don Valley West within the 416 remains "too close to call". I am hearing Gerard Kennedy and Justin Trudeau are in tough fights within their own ridings. Hopefully we can remain disciplined and allow the momentum to pick up going into the leadership debates where Harper is likely to show well in contrast to Mr. Dion.
-Local debates are set for October 6, 8 with Cardinal Carter high school and Rogers also doing debates in the first part of October. Debate prep continues.
-For those who were filmed for the CBC, my segment during the National will air on October 10, four days before the election. It should be some good national exposure for this crucial swing riding of Newmarket-Aurora.
-Our volunteer base remains committed and motivated to achieve victory. We fully expect our supporters will show up and vote, but turnout could be low overall on voting day.
As always we need to keep the pressure on. This is not the time to let up. We need to go hard right until October 14 to win this riding locally and to build on our minority government nationally. Please do not let the polls deter you from giving some extra time to the campaign. Like every campaign, we could always use more volunteers and money. Now is the time we need you more than ever! There are only 22 days (just over 3 weeks) left in this campaign! We are going to do all we can to make sure Lois Brown is elected to Ottawa and do our part to contribute to any gains the federal Conservatives make in this election campaign. I wish all readers the best of luck in their own local campaigns!
-Darryl
