In an apparent show of confidence, incumbent Conservative MP John Reynolds is splitting more of his campaigning time this election between his West Vancouver-Sunshine Coast riding and the rest of the country.
As the co-chair of the Conservative Party's national campaign, Reynolds is spending three days a week back east helping his Conservative colleagues in Ontario and Quebec, the provinces with more than half of the seats in the House of Commons.
Of the 308 seats up for grabs in the House of Commons, politicians from Ontario fill 106, while Quebec has 75 seats. Reynolds and the rest of the Conservatives want as many seats as they can get in the nation's political powerhouse provinces.
The decision by Reynolds to spend so much time back east is drawing criticism from his Liberal opponent.
"I find it interesting that my opponent is taking the votes of the constituents of this riding for granted," said West Vancouver-Sunshine Coast Liberal candidate Blair Wilson.
"Western alienation is a driving force for British Columbians. That my opponent is spending three days a week in Ontario and Quebec only reinforces the very real sense British Columbians have of Western Alienation."
Wilson said he's spending seven days a week traveling throughout the riding, which stretches from Whistler to the North Shore and to Bowen and Texada Islands, the Sunshine Coast and to Powell River.
"Our team has been focused on what constituents here in West Vancouver, the Sunshine Coast and Sea to Sky Country have to say, and we're getting great feedback," Wilson said. "Many of the people in this riding feel their voices are ignored, and they know that our campaign is about listening and representing the people of this great riding.
"While Mr. Reynolds is busy building a new political party called the Conservative Party, he is not attending to the needs of his constituents."
In response, Reynolds pointed out that it isn't uncommon for leaders within the federal parties to help in other areas.
"I, like many Liberal cabinet ministers, am a senior member of the party," Reynolds said from West Vancouver on Monday (June 14). "I don't see Blair Wilson complaining about Ralph Goodale [the Liberal Finance Minister] traveling around the country."
Reynolds said he thinks he is doing a good job for the country.
"I'm devoting some of my time to assist other candidates in the rest of Canada and Liberal cabinet members are doing the same," said the veteran campaigner. "People in my constituency understand that I'm a national figure now and I play a key role in my party."
