Battle for Sudbury voters' hearts and minds taking place at doorsteps

When Jamie West pictured his reelection campaign, he imagined it would happen in the summertime, when days are longer and people are out working on their lawns.

But the current snap election during the winter has changed all that. 

Like other candidates, the Sudbury New Democrat has to contend with sub-zero temperatures, heavy snow, and parents busy getting their kids ready for school the next day. 

Still, West and others are braving snowstorms to reach voters. 

"It's really tough… the minute the sun sets, people are more or less done, right?" said West. "They don't open the door. It's cold, the heating is expensive."

Having a voice at Queen's Park

West says the early election call and quick campaign is causing some confusion among voters. 

"I hear frustration when people find out this election is going to cost $180M," he said. 

"Vale just laid off 200 people a week and a half ago… We should be at Queen's park. Instead, we are in this election."

For decades, the Sudbury riding has been a race between the Ontario NDP and the Ontario Liberal party. This year, however, provincial polls suggest the Progressive Conservatives have a strong lead and the party is putting a lot more attention on northern ridings like Sudbury.

West says he's frustrated when he hears people argue that having an MPP in the majority government would mean more provincial dollars coming in the riding. 

"Nickel Belt has been NDP for about 54 years," he said. "If you only got stuff because of the government in power, well, that riding would be crumbling." 

Conservative candidate does not attend debates or give interviews

The Sudbury PC candidate, Max Massimiliano, has refused to give media interviews or attend riding debates during the campaign.

CBC has had similar responses from most other Conservative candidates in the northeast.

Jeff Rutledge is a conservative strategist and former PC campaign manager in southern Ontario. He says there's a consistent approach across PC campaigns.

"Your greatest success is going to be by spending time at the doors," he said. "That's what's told to candidates, campaign managers and volunteers." 

He says doorsteps are where the most genuine and powerful conversations happen. 

"Sometimes debates can really narrow in on one specific issue," he said. "I find residents want to talk about a variety of issues."

The CBC also requested an interview with Sudbury Liberal candidate Rashid Mukhtar Chaudhry but didn't hear back.