By TYLER DAWSON
Sunday, May 24, 2015
Anita Vandenbeld says she plans to relaunch her campaign in Ottawa West-Nepean when a general election is called and supersedes the byelection. Tyler Dawnson / Ottawa Citizen
To hoots, hollers and cheers from party faithful, Liberal candidate Anita Vandenbeld kicked off her byelection campaign in Ottawa West-Nepean Saturday afternoon.
“We share the progressive values that are going to change this community and this country,” Vandenbeld told the crowd of nearly 100.
Vandenbeld is the first candidate to launch in the byelection, which is being fought over former Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird’s seat, after he abruptly resigned on Feb. 3. Byelections are also underway in Peterborough and Sudbury. All are set for Oct. 19, the same day a general federal election is expected.
Vandenbeld, whose volunteers have already been out canvassing and working the phones to raise support in the riding, said her campaign will have to be restarted when the general election is called and thus supersedes the byelection.
“We were already anticipating that we would be looking at an election on Oct. 19, and even if it were to come sooner, we were ready,” Vandenbeld said in an interview.
Sean O’Neill, the campaign manager, said there’s a spending limit for the byelection — he said the exact number is not finalized yet — but once the general election begins, the campaign will have a new spending limit.
“It’s a unique situation,” O’Neill said. “We were in pre-election mode anyways, so to be perfectly honest, it doesn’t change a ton in terms of the operations of the campaign and what we’re trying to accomplish.”
O’Neill said the campaign will have to re-submit all nomination papers and other documentation once the general election gets underway.
Additionally, because of changes that come into effect for the next general election, the riding boundaries will shift slightly once the election is called. But at this point, because of the byelection, Vandenbeld said the campaign is able to enter apartment buildings, and they’ll be able to start putting up campaign signs in the riding on Aug. 19, 60 days before the byelection date, even if the general election hasn’t been called.
Vandenbeld ran unsuccessfully for the Liberals in Ottawa West-Nepean in 2011.
She said she’s worked with a variety of international organizations in 73 countries around the world, particularly in issues of women’s rights and human rights. In recent months, Liberal leader Justin Trudeau has faced criticism for supporting Bill C-51, the Conservative government’s anti-terrorism bill.
“Human rights are my life’s work,” Vandenbeld said. “When I get elected, and I put forward amendments to that bill … I will have my leader’s support in that.”
She described the riding as one with many families and seniors, and some of them are struggling financially.
“There is a tremendous, tremendous desire for change. And I think they want an MP who is here, who is listening,” Vandenbeld said.
Shagal Osman, a volunteer and aide for Vandenbeld, said the community is looking for literacy programs and education and job opportunities.
“For me, it’s not really about the party politics, I look at the people who want to represent my community,” Osman said.
A member of the Somali Muslim community, Osman said many people feel alienated by the Conservative government, and want change as a result.
“We just feel like we don’t have, sometimes, a place here,” she said.
The only other candidate nominated in the riding is Abdulkadir Abdi, a police officer and member of the Somali community who is running for the Conservatives. The NDP hasn’t nominated a candidate for the byelection, though there are four people expected so far in the nomination race for the general election, said riding association president Marlene Rivier.
The Green Party is waiting until the general election is called, said spokesman Paul Kompass.