The top candidates in the provincial election from left are Marshall Buchanan (NDP), Kevin Holm (Ontario Party), Oliver Jacob (Liberal Party) and Billy Denault (PC).

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Eganville – With the provincial election slated for this Thursday (Feb. 27), several candidates who have fought tooth and nail for a seat in the legislative assembly are eagerly waiting to learn which of them will go on to secure the seat for Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke.

Just days before the official vote, the candidates shared their experiences and thoughts on their campaigns which began just a few weeks ago.

Leading up to the big day, NDP candidate Marshall Buchanan was happy to report he had thoroughly enjoyed himself and learned a lot about the county. The self-employed farmer said he was optimistic to have the opportunity to represent the riding. He told the Leader he feels he has been received well in canvassing and heard plenty of good things from voters.

“People came to the debate in Barry’s Bay to meet the candidates and one person actually said to me, ‘With John (Yakabuski) no longer running, what are we going to do?’”

Mr. Buchanan said he was often encouraged by prospective voters thanking him for taking the initiative to run and said dozens of people waited in line for a one-on-one chat. He said he found the debates to be exciting and was approached by a particularly notable gentleman in the meet-and-greets following one of them who showed appreciation for his diction and how he presented himself.

“He said, ‘I can’t believe we haven’t met before. I’m Sean Conway,’” (Mr. Conway was the former riding MPP who was replaced by Mr. Yakabuski in 2002 after he retired from politics).

Mr. Buchanan turned to his wife immediately to introduce the two.

“I had heard so much about him. Even when I first moved up here in the year 2000 people were telling me that he was the MPP,” he said. “It was an honour. He came up to me and introduced himself and we had a long talk. I almost felt like I was getting a bit of mentoring there, so it was a really great moment.”

He said they discussed old-school politics and the contrast to the way things are now, describing the past as much more collegial. In terms of learning experiences and room for growth, Mr. Buchanan said it’s been quite interesting given the candidates have had less than a month to prepare themselves.

“Running for MPP in a snap election like this with little time to prepare is like finding yourself in a fourth-year physics class without having taken the first three years,” he said. “It’s been that steep and that intense.”

Mr. Buchanan will be hosting a viewing party at the Eagles Nest (top floor of the Eganville and District Community Centre) from 7 to 11 p.m. on Thursday livestreaming the election results.

Ontario Party

The Ontario Party’s Kevin Holm shared the feeling he had gone from playing house league to the Olympics. Reportedly confident in his position entering the Feb. 27 vote, he’s coming in hot despite knowing he’s doing so as an underdog.

The Petawawa native told the Leader knowing the cards aren’t stacked in his favour hasn’t slowed him down or affected his drive to succeed. According to Mr. Holm, the voters have recognized he’s put himself out there abruptly and in an overwhelmingly onerous fashion.

Entering the election with just two days of political training, he relied on his decades of experience standing up for his beliefs, whether by using leadership, entrepreneurial experience or challenging other people’s views.

“Three weeks ago, I was the voter, and now all of a sudden I’m in the race to try and do whatever I can to help our riding,” he explained. “I’m not a political salesman, so when I’m up on the stage and my competitors are promising things, that’s all they are.”

Despite feeling a bit like he’s spinning plates even with the help of his wife and daughter, Mr. Holm said he’s gained a better understanding of the county and what its constituents need.

Mr. Holm said he knows his method of playing by the book to see success and that despite his inexperience in tiptoeing around tough questions and specific legislative bills, he’s put his abilities as a self-starter on the forefront.

While he’s had some difficulty in the process, Mr. Holm found his ability to soak up information and skills like a sponge has proven essential. He cited his success as a sole proprietor of his business, Safeguard Electric, despite having no prior experience, and a situation when he was issued a ticket from the Town of Petawawa and went on to challenge it and represented himself in court.

“Now I’m stepping into the bullpen and going up against the wolves, like I have pretty much my whole life. There’s not too many people that have that in their skillset.”

In terms of plans for election night, Mr. Holm said he’s been so tied up that he’s only thinking five minutes ahead.

“I’ve been mentally drained before. I’ve been mentally drained preparing for high-level interviews where there’s six people and you just come out and feel like you’re going to collapse,” he remarked. “This is excessive. Whenever I get a chance to breathe, I’ll let you know.”

Liberal Party

Oliver Jacob of the Liberal Party said he felt he was doing well in the last week of canvassing leading up to Thursday.

“There seems to be a lot of momentum, which is lovely to see,” he remarked. “Lots of people seem to be pretty annoyed that they’re in an election right now.”

He emphasized the state of political unrest between Canada and the United States, as Donald Trump has created issues locally.

“There are issues in this province that need to be addressed. The feedback I’m getting, they want to see some change and a local representative who will stand up for them and not just be a lap dog to the Premier.”

He was happy to report hearing great things from his door-to-door interactions and that they’ve been going much better than expected. He said he’s seen more voters looking to the Liberal Party’s platform than ever and a good mix of others and undecided constituents just checking into the election. Reprising his role as the Liberal Party candidate, he said the second time around has ended up surprising him.

“The doors have been wonderful,” he said. “There are very few people who have shared their intention to vote for the NDP or PC candidate at the doors.”

“I’m always impressed by how many people take the time to think of the issues that matter and localize them.”

According to Mr. Jacob, the community has been much more involved in the needs and wants of others. He said the sense of community has stayed strong, particularly in rural areas.

“I’ve spent a lot of time in Foresters Falls, Cobden, Barry’s Bay, Whitney and Madawaska, up in Petawawa, Deep River and Chalk River.”

Ultimately, he said, all of the problems within those areas boil down to his campaign’s three priorities: healthcare, education and infrastructure. His two attempts running for MPP, while spread out, opened his eyes to what the community really needs.

“A healthcare system that will support every patient, an education system that will make sure our students are set up for success and investing in the infrastructure that matters to local communities,” he explained.

“Whether that’s through hospitals, schools, Highways 17 and 60, local municipal roads, water and wastewater treatment facilities, making sure that our investments at the provincial level actually have an impact in people’s lives.”

Mr. Jacob said he plans to spend the night of the election like Mr. Holm, having a relaxing night in the company of his loved ones.

PC Party

With just days before the official election (Monday at the time of interview), PC Party candidate Billy Denault said he was feeling good and he’s looking forward to a strong finish. Being his second time canvassing after his election to Arnprior council, he told the Leader he hasn’t had a single negative interaction in over a month.

“We’ve been to pretty well almost every community in the riding, whether it’s been at a meet-and greet, an event like door knocking or pancake breakfast. I’ve had countless good conversations, so I’m feeling very positive going into the election on Thursday.”

According to Mr. Denault, he’s had a good time meeting people across the county even if they hadn’t been in support of the party, saying he was not only received well but treated with remarkable dignity and kindness.

“I feel very positive. It was a very positive campaign on my end. I really appreciated the opportunity to see my home riding in such a short amount of time,” he remarked. “It’s indicative of our Canadian political culture. We had such great conversations about the issues at hand locally and provincially.”

The top three issues brought forward to him by constituents was the international relationship between Canada and our southern neighbours, expanding the county’s infrastructure by way of housing and the twinning of Highway 17, and last but certainly not least, healthcare.

“The PC Party has a platform that relates to all those three points.”

Mr. Denault will be spending election night carrying on a tradition spanning decades and dating back to the now retiring MPP John Yakabuski. He’ll be at the Clarion Hotel and Conference Centre in Pembroke, the very place where his predecessor won the past six previous elections.