Mark Carney discreetly campaigns in Nepean

No time for media: A week into the federal election, Liberal Party leader Mark Carney was campaigning in Nepean on Saturday, the riding he hoped to win for a seat in the House of Commons. 

Rumours of an event at his Antares Drive campaign office began swirling Friday night, but when local media reached out, they were told it was pool coverage only. By 10:00 am, about 50 people had gathered inside, including former Liberal MP Bob Chiarelli and newly elected Liberal Nepean MPP Tyler Watt. 

Carney entered to a cheering crowd, shook some hands, and gave about a four-minute-long speech. He called this “the most important election of our lifetime.” 

• “It’s critical in redefining our relationship with the United States. It’s critical in redefining our economy on our own terms, standing up for Canada, creating one economy, one strong economy,” he said

As he has before, Carney referenced his friendship with Nepeanite Peter Chiarelli, former general manager of the Edmonton Oilers. He also said Nepean was the best riding in the country. 

• “This is what we are, the community, the community that grows and believes in each other and stays together,” said Carney. “And I hope to have the honour of representing you in Ottawa at this crucial time for Nepean, for Ottawa, for Ontario, or Canada, for the world.” 

Where’s the transparency? The few media representatives in the room were not allowed to ask questions with the last media availability being held Friday. 

On Sunday, Carney held two events in Nepean, both of which were “closed to the media,” per a press release. One of those was a private gathering at a home in Half Moon Bay, where the Liberal leader celebrated  Eid al-Fitr. A video posted to X showed him and his wife Diana packing food boxes for the Muslim Food Bank. 

So why no questions? Given Carney’s sudden decision to run in the riding, without much history in the area, the campaign could be acting overly cautious about answering questions from local media who, the Lookout included, would focus on questions related to Nepean and less on national issues. It remains to be seen if that’s the case as we wait for the opportunity to interview him.

• The controversy around Carney’s plan to run in Nepean first started after current Liberal MP Chandra Arya was told just a weekend ago he wouldn’t be allowed to run. No reason was given, but reports have since indicated it has to do with a 2024 trip to India. 

Many local journalists — like myself — also want to ask Carney what he wants to do for Nepean, and his knowledge about the place he’s running in. Speaking outside of Rideau Hall after calling an election last week, he referenced Bells Corners, which is in fact no longer part of Nepean. A boundary review now means voters there are part of Kanata. 

NDP leader Jagmeet Singh campaigns in Ottawa Centre 

Also in Ottawa on Saturday was NDP leader Jagmeet Singh, who stopped by the Mino'Weesini Grocery Program near Parkdale. 

Speaking next to shelves and a grocery cart stocked with food, the NDP leader committed to introducing emergency price caps on food items like pasta, frozen vegetables and infant formula. Sigh also advocated for higher taxes on grocery chain profits and tighter competition regulations for the sector, reported CityNews.

• "A lot of Canadians are worried about how much it costs them when they go to the grocery store," Singh said, noting those fears have intensified due to anxiety about the impact of U.S. tariffs under President Donald Trump. “I want folks to know that we see you and we hear you," said Singh.

Food agencies are feeling the strain: The Mino'Weesini Grocery Program is Parkdale Food Centre’s catchment-based grocery service. In October 1,650 people used the service, the highest level of need ever seen. The initiative, which allows clients to go around the store and purchase food through a points program and costs about $18,000 a month to run, reported the Kitchissippi Times. 

It will be a competitive race: Things aren’t looking good for the federal NDP who could lose official party status. The CBC estimated they could go down to three seats, and would be unlikely to take more than 14. Even Singh may lose his Vancouver area seat. 

What the polls say: In Ottawa Centre Liberal incumbent MP Yasir Naqvi is showing a strong lead in the polls. Early projections on 338 Canada show Naqvi winning with 57 per cent of the vote. Conservative candidate Paul D’Orsonnes is projected to come in second place with 21 per cent — something the party hasn’t pulled off since 2011. NDP candidate and former Ottawa Centre MPP Joel Harden is trailing behind in third with 16 per cent. The projections are based on polls, electoral history and other data.