Hamilton candidates ready to campaign as federal election call expected Sunday

With reports Canadians can expect a federal election next month, Hamilton candidates are signalling they're ready and eager to start campaigning.

Sources told CBC that the prime minister is expected to visit Rideau Hall on Sunday to ask for Parliament to be dissolved, then announce a 36-day campaign — the minimum length permitted by law — meaning voting day would be Sept. 20.

The election campaign would take place during the COVID-19 pandemic and as families prepare to return to school.

With an election in mind, residents in the Hamilton area vying for a seat in the House of Commons have already begun sharing messages with the community.

"We know the @NDP candidates in #HamOnt are ready to go if snap election is called for Sept 20," tweeted the account for the Hamilton West Ancaster Dundas (HWAD) NDP Riding Association.

Victoria Galea also plans to run in HWAD and sent out a notice saying the launch for her campaign as the Green Party of Canada candidate for the riding is set for this Sunday.

But the tight timeline has her planning an approach that will look a little different.

"Between the pandemic and it's such a short, snap election, for a campaign that has a smaller budget logistically and financially compared to other parties, it just makes sense not to have a campaign office," she said.

Instead, Galea's team will focus on outdoor events and canvassing to make sure voters feel comfortable and safe.

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'It's about to go down'

In Hamilton East-Stoney Creek, Conservative candidate Ned Kuruc has already been posting on Twitter about knocking on doors.

One of the candidates Kuruc will be up against is Nick Milanovic, who's running for the NDP.

He tweeted a video following a June nomination meeting, saying: "We learned a lot from the last election and we are now coming together to get ready for the next one."

Vito Sgro, a 2018 mayoral candidate, is running for the Liberals in Flamborough–Glanbrook and has also posted a photo showing him canvassing along with volunteers.

Dan Muys is running for the Conservatives in the riding and has shared a video explaining why he wants to represent it.

Meanwhile, Matthew Green, NDP MP for Hamilton Centre, tweeted an animated image of comedian Kevin Hart saying, "It's about to go down," linking to a news story that said an election announcement was imminent.

Some seats open for the taking

Bob Bratina, Liberal MP for Hamilton East-Stoney Creek, announced earlier this summer he would not be running in the federal election, pointing to his own party's support of the Hamilton LRT.

"If an election is called, my constituency office will remain open to serve you until a new Parliament is sworn in," reads his most recent newsletter to constituents.

David Sweet, Conservative MP for Flamborough–Glanbrook, who came under fire about comments on lockdowns and travel during the pandemic, said he's among those who won't run again, along with Hamilton Mountain NDP MP Scott Duvall.

Lisa Hepfner, a longtime reporter with CHCH News, announced earlier this month she's vying to run for the Liberals on Hamilton Mountain.

She's kept up a steady stream of campaign-style social media posts since, including several appearing to show her making calls from home.