Will progressive voters support the NDP in Carleton?

Beth Prokaska is the NDP’s candidate for Carleton, a traditionally Conservative riding held by party leader Pierre Poilievre since 2004.Article content

Beth Prokaska grew up in a home where NDP politics was in the air. Her mother was a legislative assistant for an NDP MPP in Toronto. Sometimes Prokaska would join her mother stuffing envelopes and canvassing.

THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY

Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.

Exclusive articles from Elizabeth Payne, David Pugliese, Andrew Duffy, Bruce Deachman and others. Plus, food reviews and event listings in the weekly newsletter, Ottawa, Out of Office.Unlimited online access to Ottawa Citizen and 15 news sites with one account.Ottawa Citizen ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword.Support local journalism.SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES

Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.

Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.

Access articles from across Canada with one account.Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.Enjoy additional articles per month.Get email updates from your favourite authors.THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK.

Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.

Access articles from across Canada with one accountShare your thoughts and join the conversation in the commentsEnjoy additional articles per monthGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an Accountor

Article content

“I had a taste of that as a youth. I think that is what sparked this.”

Article content

At 61, Prokaska, a lifelong music educator who stays in shape by boxing, is making her first foray into politics, as the NDP candidate in the federal riding of Carleton.

Article content

It is not an easy task in the traditionally Conservative riding held by party leader Pierre Poilievre since 2004.

Article content

By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.

Article content

The NDP has typically finished in third place in federal elections in the riding. In 2021, candidate Kevin Hua grabbed 11.5 per cent of the vote. He got more than nine per cent of the vote in 2019. Both years represented an increase over previous elections, where the party earned just over six per cent of the vote.

Article content

But, like many things in the world right now, NDP voter support has been affected by U.S President Donald Trump’s threats, tariffs and the Canadian response.

Article content

Nationally, the NDP has been losing voter support, according to polls, as Liberal support has grown. A recent Angus Reid poll had the NDP tied with the Bloc with seven per cent of votes. In 2021, the NDP won 17.8 per cent of the popular vote and 7.4 per cent of the seats in Carleton.

Article content

In this election, Carleton is seeing a strong challenge to Polievre from Liberal candidate Bruce Fanjoy. The riding is also the target of a protest by a group calling itself the Longest Ballot Committee. It says it wants to make a point about the need for electoral reform by flooding the ballot with candidates. As a result, there will be 91 names on ballots in Carleton, increasing the challenge for candidates without strong name recognition.

Article content

Prokaska argues that the NDP has a lot to offer people, especially during difficult economic times.

Article content

“As I have been going through Carleton and listening to concerns, what comes up most is affordability,” she told the riding debate televised by Rogers Television. “Liberals and Conservatives, as a result, are suddenly concerned about working class Canadians whereas making life affordable for all Canadians is what the NDP has always fought for. The NDP under Tommy Douglas is why universal health care was implemented in Canada years ago.”