In what seems to have been a race anxiously waiting for a start, the candidates in Ancaster Dundas Flamborough Westdale (ADFW) will face the electorate for the first time together…Tuesday evening at 6:15, McMaster University’s Student Union hosting. Voters from the area will have 3 other opportunities in coming days to see what the parties have to offer in this “all-candidates meeting” format.

Expect incumbent David Sweet to stick tightly to the party (read Stephen Harper) line. Voters seem to have been convinced to expect little from Sweet, and he has delivered. Local “Sweetwatchers” have found him to be active in a number of pursuits related to his personal priorities while on the Hill, but not so much elsewhere. All in attendance will want to know more details from his time in Parliament. Communications to the Riding while in office seemed to have been written by Stephen Harper’s staff.

Gordon Guyatt has saved a great many trees (reused signs) over the years by continuing to campaign on behalf of the New Democratic Party through election after election. His professional accomplishments are well documented and when it comes to health care issues Dr. Guyatt ought to be able to take on any politician in a debate. Some polls suggest that Healthcare is near top of mind with many voters. A riding with a healthy number of older adults may reward Guyatt. It seems that on previous election nights support for this NDP perennial was always the decisive votes taken from one or the other of the Liberals or Conservatives.

The Green candidate Peter Ormond has had some campaigning time (but still runs a distant 4th in the experience department) having run for the Greens in a nearby riding recently. A hard group to read, the Green Party trade heavily on their outstanding leader’s accomplishments yet seldom step forward at the local level as a unified group to address issues in a riding that is clearly on the doorstep (or closer) of one of Canada’s premier environmental hotspots.

Arlene MacFarlane VanderBeek represents the Liberal party in Ancaster Dundas Flamborough Westdale. With many years of political, business and community experience to call upon VanderBeek represents the sort of lifelong commitment to community service that used to apply to all seeking political office. No doubt, the combination of VanderBeek’s presence in the community and beyond coupled with the Liberal’s national campaign focusing on a richer, fairer greener Canada will resonate within the riding.

Arlene VanderBeek’s campaign is a demonstration of the type of MP that she seeks to be. She clearly welcomes ideas from the people that she would represent. She can do her work on local issues knowing that her Party (which has by far the strongest front bench potential of any party) is aiming to energize Canadians once more with hope, tolerance and pride not only in their accomplishments but in the place Canadians want to return to on the world stage. Liberal leader Stephane Dion has had the courage to offer Canadians the opportunity to work at reducing the effects of climate change now. Don’t be surprised at the number of voters in this riding who are not only impressed with that courage and the cred of the local candidate but are also desperate for real action on climate change.

Now that the race is about to begin expect lots to talk about over the next 3 or so weeks!