Tight race expected in Elmwood-Transcona

Jeff Keele previews the key players facing off in the federal election in the Elmwood-Transcona riding.

Surrounded by supporters, federal NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh campaigned in Winnipeg, making his pitch to voters.

“To Manitobans, we have shown you when you elect a New Democrat, what you get, you get someone who’s going to be there fighting for you,” said Singh.

Elmwood-Transcona NDP incumbent, Leila Dance, stood nearby. She’s in a rematch in her riding, from a September byelection she won, after Daniel Blaikie resigned.

“People in my community know me, and know of me for years and years, and can really know that I was a voice long before the byelection started,” said Dance.

Dance, like other NDP incumbents in the province, will try to hold on to their seats, as the party is down in the polls nationally.

“It’s easier for me to just focus forward and not really worry about any of the polls,” she said. “I really want to make sure that I’m just focusing on my riding and speaking for my constituents.”

Finishing second in the byelection was Conservative Colin Reynolds. The electrician is running again. CTV News reached out to his campaign team for an interview and did not hear back.

Curtis Brown of Probe Research said based on recent history, this is likely a contest between Dance and Reynolds.

“This riding is unique in Manitoba because, unlike many other ones, it’s a blue-orange race,” said Brown.

Liberal candidate Ian MacIntyre did not fare well in the byelection, ending up a distant third.

“Since that time, life has changed,” said MacIntyre.

The retired teacher said it’s a new day because his party has a new leader and Donald Trump is the U.S. president.

“And I am being welcomed at the door,” said MacIntyre. “People like Mr. Carney. People like that he is going to be the strong leader that we need.”

Brown said Elmwood-Transcona could come down to the Liberal vote.

“If they take a lot of support, or get a lot of support, and are taking that away from the NDP, that’s going to be really difficult for them,” said Brown.

There are others running here, including People’s Party of Canada candidate Collin Watson, a former driver in the military.

“I became more aware of how bad the current state of the nation is, and I felt I needed to step up once again to serve the people of Canada,” said Watson.

Nicolas Geddert is listed as the Green Party candidate. He also ran in the byelection.