Experts say certain Winnipeg ridings could be federal election indicators

It’s official: Canadians will be heading to the polls next month after Prime Minister Mark Carney called a snap election on Sunday.

CityNews asked Christopher Adams, adjunct professor of political studies at the University of Manitoba, what role Winnipeg ridings play.

“Where we might have an influence is that, in many ways, we are a bellwether for how the country goes,” said Adams.

While Manitoba doesn’t represent the same number of seats as Ontario or Quebec, one expert says there are local ridings of vital importance that could indicate which way the country is leaning.

“When Stephen Harper was elected, that election in Winnipeg South was when Rod Bruinooge, against everybody’s predictions except mine, won that riding and held it until 2015, when the country moved over to the Liberals. That riding flipped to Terry Duguid. So, you want to watch Winnipeg South, and how that riding is going is probably how the country will be going,” said Adams.

As for the bigger picture, Adams says he believes the Liberals have gained steam since Justin Trudeau’s resignation and thinks the election will be airtight, a far cry from three months ago.

“Other seats that were looked to be written off—I was writing them off three months ago—like Ben Carr in Winnipeg South Centre, the Liberal ridings all looked very vulnerable,” said Adams. “And now people are saying there’s a good chance that the Liberals will hold on, and some people are saying it’s likely they’ll hold on.”

CityNews asked locals who they were voting for.

“I think that Mark Carney is the person who needs to lead Canada because he’s the only one with any experience in negotiation,” said one local.

“I would like to see Poilievre. I just think he’s got it more together. Carney, unfortunately, is just more of the same trouble we’ve been dealing with over the last 10 years,” said another local.

“I hope that Carney wins. He’s centre, he has some conservative values and some liberal values, and I think that works best for Canadians,” said another.

Canadians will have a chance to cast their vote on April 28th.