Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke MP Cheryl Gallant has officially launched her re-election campaign with the opening of her campaign headquarters in Pembroke. On Monday afternoon, the local Member of Parliament held a grand opening at 680 Pembroke Street East. Gallant, who has represented the riding for almost 20 years, says the carbon tax is one of the big ticket items on her campaign agenda this election.
Gallant opened a campaign office in Petawawa today, and is expected to open one in Renfrew tomorrow. As the Conservative candidate in the upcoming fall election, she is going up against Eileen Jones-Whyte of the NDP, Ruben Marini of the Liberals, Ian Pineau of the Green Party, Independent Dan Criger, David Ainsworth of the PPC and Libertarian Stefan Klietsch. Gallant was joined by her Conservative counterpart representing the Pontiac on Monday afternoon. Dave Blackburn is a former Canadian Armed Forces officer who served in Afghanistan and Cyprus and is now an assistant professor at the University of Quebec. His primary focus is on improving benefits for veterans, but says there are also many local issues that need to be addressed.
Blackburn who is running for the Conservatives in the Pontiac is up against incumbent Liberal candidate Will Amos, Denise Giroux for the NDP, Claude Bertrand the Green Party representative, Mario Belec of the PPC and Jonathan Carreiro-Benoit of the Bloc Quebecois. The federal election date is set for October 21st, but residents will have their opportunity to cast ballots early with advance voting.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is set to call the next federal election tomorrow morning, when he’s expected to visit Rideau Hall to ask Governor-General Julie Payette to dissolve Parliament.
Voting day is set for October 21st.
(photo: Cheryl Gallant shaking hands with Dave Blackburn at the re-election campaign office opening in Pembroke)
