New Democrats gathered in candidate Craig Sauvé’s office Wednesday to kick off the campaign for the LaSalle–Émard–Verdun by-election. Chef Jagmeet Singh had visited the city for the event.
Vacated last February by the departure of Liberal incumbent David Lametty, the riding is in the crosshairs of the New Democratic Party (NDP). In doing so, even as the party begins its campaign, candidate Craig Sauvé has been going door-to-door for months.
“It’s going well,” he assures us. […] We feel that people want something else. People love our leader Jagmeet Singh. » An “all-in” campaign led by the New Democrats was clearly felt at the constituency office on Wellington Street on Wednesday evening. Although President Jagmeet Singh was delayed by forty minutes due to inclement weather, the activists welcomed him enthusiastically.
A cheer crowned by Craig Chau, a municipal councilor for the South West District since 2013, was dampened by repeated chants of his first name. In his desire to do something “next level,” he emphasized the importance of reversing the housing crisis that is particularly affecting LaSalle-Emerd-Verdun residents. A crisis, he says, is “unacceptable” and it is “urgent to change”.
Social causes are at the fore
In his ten-minute speech, Craig Sauvé also addressed several reasons at the heart of his political commitment. “Health care”, “human dignity”, “the environment”, the fight against “racism, homophobia and transphobia”, as well as “humanitarian crises” – from the Gaza war to Ukraine – were addressed.
Finally, in front of the crowd, Mr. Sauvé confirmed that not only is the NDP in a position to win LaSalle-Émard-Verdun, it has “already won.”
Photo by Martin Tremblay, The Press
The NTP leader was greeted with enthusiasm by the activists.
Alexandre Bouleris, the New Democrat MP for Rosemont-La Petite-Patri and party vice-president, is one of them. He called for winds of change in Montreal’s southwest riding, praising the merits of Craig Chau, whom he has known for years. ” [Craig est] A strong activist, someone with heart in the right place, someone who has true values and works for the world,” he said.
Despite the strong support the Liberals traditionally enjoy in LaSalle-Émard-Verdun, Jagmeet Singh estimated that Justin Trudeau’s general disapproval could work in his favor. “We have an opportunity to send a clear message to the Liberals: You’ve left people behind,” he thundered, decrying the rapid cost of living and unaffordability of housing.
Liberal stronghold
During the most recent poll in the riding, the NDP came third (19.4%) behind the Bloc Québécois (22.1%) and the Liberal Party (42.9%) in the 2021 general election. Among the parties represented in the House of Commons, the Conservatives trailed behind with 7.5% of the vote.
The Bloc Québécois, the Conservative Party and the Liberal Party have not yet nominated a candidate for the by-election. According to the report Pres Last week, anxiety and impatience began to be felt in the Liberal ranks, with a referendum to be held no later than Monday, September 16.
Read the article “Liberal Uncertainty in LaSalle-Emmert-Verdun”.
Also, even though LaSalle-Émard-Verdun is known as a liberal bastion, it seems more likely that the bastions will fall. In Ontario, riding Toronto-St. Balls, a Liberal for 30 years, was captured by the Conservatives in another by-election on June 24.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has given until July 30 to announce the date of the by-election.
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