The residents of the expansive rural riding of Carleton in Ottawa will choose a new Member of Provincial Parliament (MPP) this week following the decision of Goldie Ghamari, who switched from Progressive Conservative to Independent, not to seek re-election in the upcoming provincial polls.
John Barresi, who runs a roofing and siding business in Richmond, expressed concerns about the potential impact of a tariff conflict on his business if Canada imposes retaliatory tariffs on the U.S. products he imports, given that many of the materials he uses are American-made. Barresi, traditionally not a Progressive Conservative supporter, now leans towards voting for the party due to their focus on this issue.
Although Ghamari secured around 50% of the votes in 2018 and 2022, she was ousted from the PC caucus last year due to a meeting with a controversial figure. Despite this, some constituents like Nick Morabito, who engages in discussions at a local gym, still show support for right-leaning parties amid the circumstances.
Expansive Rural Constituency
Carleton, encompassing a significant portion of south Ottawa with areas like Metcalfe, Osgoode, and Stittsville, has a historical inclination towards voting Progressive Conservative. This trend extends federally as well, with the riding held by Conservative Leader Pierre Polievre.
Michael Driscoll, the owner of the Manotick Paint Store, anticipates a victory for Doug Ford and emphasizes the need for improved healthcare access in the region. On the other hand, Pietro Zanetti, a medical manufacturing consultant, remains undecided but emphasizes the dire state of the healthcare system based on personal experiences.
Concerns about rising costs, particularly in utilities like electricity and groceries, are prevalent among voters like Helena Simard, who contemplates homeschooling her daughter due to dissatisfaction with the education system’s performance with her older children.
