Canada election 2015: What does an early election call mean for Ottawa?

It's official — the mid-summer marathon that is the longest federal election in recent history kicked off Sunday after Stephen Harper asked Gov. Gen. David Johnston to dissolve Parliament and set an election for Oct. 19.

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Over the next month, campaign season in the capital may not be so obvious.

The City of Ottawa reminded politicians Sunday they have to wait until 60 days prior to the election to put up election signs on private property, and 30 days before the election for signs on public property. 

Candidates have no problem with rules

That doesn't present a problem for Liberal candidate for Ottawa Centre, Catherine McKenna, who launched her campaign with a rally at her office on Somerset Street Sunday afternoon.

"It's not signs that win elections, it's people who win elections," McKenna said. "Absolutely we want to get a lot of signs, but we've already talked to 40,000 people. We're getting our message out."

NDP candidate for Ottawa Centre Paul Dewar said his team is taking the same approach to the early election call, and won't be going full speed ahead on campaigning until September.

"We're just going to stick to our plan," he said. "We're fine. We're not going to fall into that trap. We'll ramp things up in September."

That goes for Gatineau's Bloc Québécois candidate, Philippe Boily, as well.

"We'll start a regular campaign in September," he confirmed to CBC, adding his team is assembled and ready to go. "Right now we can see that the people don't really want to talk about the election in August. It's nice out."

Royal Galipeau, the Conservative incumbent for Orleans, agreed, as he gets ready to face star Liberal candidate Andrew Leslie.

"I really think Canadians are going to enjoy the rest of the summer and that their focus is going to come after Labour Day," he said. 

Galipeau added lawn signs are an important part to a successful campaign, but not the most critical.

"The most important challenge is to make sure that you meet as many people as possible, but I've been accessible to the people of Orleans for the last 10 years so that doesn't change."