Re: How will progressives vote

Linda Hunter | Oct 14, 2015

I read with amusement Ken Fisher's statement in his letter (How will Progessives Vote?, Oct 8/15) to the editor: “Liberal Phil Archambault is well ahead of NDP's John Fenik.” In Archambault's closing statement at the Sharbot Lake All Candidates Meeting, he made a similar claim. Afterwards, I challenged him on this assertion – as there is no poll by any reputable pollster that will support these claims. These statements are a matter of opinion and are being stated as a matter of fact – in order to deceive voters.

In the last federal election in this riding the New Democrats came 2nd without mounting a campaign due to the illness of their candidate. While no vote can be taken for granted, when one reviews election results federally and provincially since 2011, it is clear that the base vote for New Democrats is stronger than it is for Liberals. In our canvasses and meetings with voters throughout this large and diverse riding, we have found former Liberal and Conservative voters coming forward to support John Fenik.

Strategic voting organizations that are rallying voters to vote against the Harper Conservative Government have recognized the strength of John Fenik and the New Democrats and as a result, recommend in Lanark-Frontenac-Kingston that the best opportunity to oust the Conservatives is to vote for John Fenik. That is how progressive voters vote.