‘New normal?’

Barring an entry by a candidate from a more obscure party, the field has been set.
Now it’s in the hands of Thunder Bay-Rainy River voters.
Thunder Bay lawyer Don Rusnak captured the Liberal nod following nomination meetings here and in Atikokan on Sunday, and then the final one Monday night in the Lakehead.
He will face NDP incumbent John Rafferty, returning Conservative candidate Maureen (“Moe”) Comuzzi-Stehmann, and Christy Radbourne for the Greens in the next federal election, which is set for Oct. 19 under the fixed-date section of the Canada Elections Act.
Love it or hate it, the fixed election date has turned campaigning on its head here in Canada—becoming more in line with the U.S. model, where politicians (particularly those in the House of Representatives) are vying for re-election practically from the day after election night.
It’s meant an onslaught of political ads from the various parties that fall outside the rigid rules in place during the “official” campaign period. As well, the first federal leaders’ debate—hosted by Maclean’s and slated for Aug. 6—is being held even before the writ has been dropped.
In essence, the election is on—and has been for some time, extending well beyond the traditional campaign period (which has averaged around 37 days since the late 1990s).
Is this good for Canada? Will this help or hinder voter turnout by the time the actual election rolls around? Time will tell.
In the meantime, voters best get prepared for the “new normal” of having to ride along on a much-longer—albeit unofficial—campaign trail.