This race is a little crowded. This race is also a little drama-filled and has stolen some attention from the overall election. Though it is comprised of two Tory ridings, there is no incumbent running for re-election. The Liberal candidadte is no longer a Liberal as he was suspended from the party over allegations of fraud. There are two independents running. There is also a Green and New democrat just trying to be heard.
The district is made up of portions of both Carleton (PC stronghold) and Victoria-Tobique (Liberal from 1987-2010). PC incumbents Dale Graham and Wes McLean are, for the moment, leaving public life. This left the PC nomination open for Dr. Colin Lockhart, who has practiced medicine in three provinces as well as providing medical care relief in Haiti. He would be the likely frontrunner were it not for the low approval rating of the current PC Alward Government, especially in the hardhit rural regions.
The would-be prime opponent is Liberal-not-Liberal Andrew Harvey. Despite being suspended temporarily from Liberal caucus, he is still featured on the Liberal campaign site and still boasts Liberal signs in and around his riding. When he isn’t running for office, he is an industrious buisnessperson who employs many in his community. He and other members of his family are currently being charged for defrauding the government of a considerable sum of money. Unfortunately, the court hearings will not be held until after the election. Should Harvey win the riding, and then be found innocent, Brian Gallant will allow Harvey to return to Liberal caucus. Harvey has alleged that the timing of these charges, laid by the RCMP, are bogus and conveniently timed to interfere with the election. Harvey does have until September 20th to formally withdraw from the election.
Joe Gee of the NDP is a jack of all trades. He has been a teacher, a farmer, a welder, a community support worker, and more. He also undertook the task of researching and bringing to life the history of the Underground Railroad; which saw Black Americans come to Canada via New Brunswick to escape slavery. Gee is an interesting and ardent democrat who may actually have become the prime opponent to continued PC rule of teh region in the wake of Harvey’s court battle.
Garth Farquhar is the owner of Tobique Log Homes. For more than thirty years, he has built homes for a living.
Not happy with any of the parties, Carleton-Victoria has two options to vote independent; Carter Edgar and Terry Ritchie.
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