Federal election 2015: Sudbury candidates already ahead of the game

Morning North6:06Sudbury police officer cleared of excessive force

Why did Greater Sudbury Police clear Constable Christopher Labreche of excessive force? Olivia Stephanovich has exclusive details.While candidates across the rest of the country were poised for the federal election writ to drop, those in Sudbury have been trying not to wear out their welcome too early.

Candidates in Sudbury have been readying themselves for a byelection since December, when former Sudbury NDP MP Glenn Thibeault jumped to the provincial Liberals. He won the MPP post for Sudbury in a Feb. 5 provincial byelection.

• MP Glenn Thibeault's defection leaves the NDP feeling 'hurt'

The Liberals and Conservatives say they have been preparing, knowing the writ would drop before any vote in a federal byelection.

NDP candidate Paul Loewenberg said he's been out knocking on doors a couple of nights a week.

"We do need to put everybody out in measured time so we don't burn out our volunteer base early," he said.

Loewenberg is planning to open his campaign office in a week or so, but the Liberals and Conservatives have had offices up and running for a few weeks.

Candidates must 'spend strategically'

Liberal Paul Lefebvre says the signs, the office, and the team are all ready for the federal campaign. But he wishes voting day wasn't as far away as Oct. 19.

"There's no purpose for it at this time, he said. "But again it's to suit Mr. Harper's agenda."

Green Candidate David Robinson does see a purpose in the lengthy campaign, however.

He said no one has a bigger war chest than the Conservatives.

"So the whole thing has been set up to enable Conservative candidates to spend as much as possible," he said.

Neither of the other major parties have that much money.

Robinson said his party, as well as the Liberals, and the New Democrats will have to spend strategically while the Conservatives pour it on.

In Sudbury, conservative candidate Fred Slade wasn't available for an interview, but said his office opened a couple of weeks ago and he's ready to run.