The 2015 federal election is under way, with the Conservatives, NDP and Liberals all yet to announce all their local candidates.
The prime minister visited Governor General David Johnston at Rideau Hall Sunday morning to dissolve Parliament and begin the election set for Oct. 19.
The voting day had been fixed in legislation and party leaders had been in campaign mode for weeks, but dropping the writ this far ahead means spending limits will be in force for much longer than the typical 36 days.
The dropping of the writ comes in advance of the first leaders’ debate. That is scheduled to take place August 6 and will be hosted by Maclean’s.
This election, Abbotsford will be predominantly split between two ridings. Neither has a full slate of candidates from the four parties yet.
The newly created Mission-Matsqui-Fraser Canyon riding includes roughly those areas of Abbotsford areas north of Maclure and Bateman roads.
In that riding, Jati Sidhu is running for the Liberals while Arthur Green is riding for the Greens. The Conservatives had nominated a candidate, Liv Grewal, but he has stepped down. Neither the Conservatives nor New Democratic Party currently have a candidate nominated.
The Abbotsford riding is held by incumbent MP Ed Fast – who has held the riding since 2006. He will be challenged by New Democrat Jen Martel and Stephen Fowler for the Green Party. The Liberal Party has not yet nominated its candidate.
-with files by Jeff Nagel
