Canada election: Poilievre pitches ‘100 days of change’ while Singh defends propping up previous government

Insights from a Night with a Door-Knocking Candidate

My name is Evan, a photojournalist with CBC. I had the opportunity to accompany Chrystia Freeland, the incumbent Member of Parliament for University-Rosedale in Toronto, on an evening of door-knocking as she seeks re-election for the fourth time.

The evening began at the campaign office, where there was a lively atmosphere with pizza and friendly conversations. Freeland arrived in a red blazer and jeans, exuding positivity and energy.

As we hit the streets, Freeland moved swiftly and purposefully. Known for her unconventional methods, such as standing on a box to reach the microphone at press conferences, she was on a mission. I had to jog to keep up with her pace.

Many residents we encountered had already cast their votes, expressing their support for Freeland. One couple, recognizing her as she passed through a park, confidently predicted her victory. In a light-hearted moment, Freeland knocked on a tree for good luck, hoping not to jinx her chances.

During a conversation at another door, I overheard Freeland engaging in a lengthy discussion with a voter who had already chosen to support the Conservative party. Despite their differing political views, the resident acknowledged Freeland’s strong chances of winning. He even admitted that had she distanced herself from former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau earlier, he might have been swayed to support her.

The shadow of Trudeau’s leadership loomed over our interactions that evening. The impact of his legacy on the election outcome for both the Liberal party and Freeland remains uncertain and will likely play a significant role in shaping the results.