Nipissing—Timiskaming Riding is in the southern portion of Northeastern Ontario. The major population centre is the City of North Bay. The riding covers an area from Algonquin Park to the head of Lake Temiskaming. It’s bordered to the west by Nickle Belt Riding, to the east by the Ottawa River and Lake Temiskaming, to the southwest by Parry Sound—Muskoka, to the southeast by Renfrew—Nipissing—Pembroke and to the north by Timmins—James Bay.

Although the riding was first created for the 2004 election, about 80% of it comprises the prior Nipissing Riding. Since 2004, it’s been represented by Liberal Anthony Rota. The riding’s main predecessor, Nipissing, was pretty solidly Liberal, federally, since Confederation, with only a few exceptions.

Rota is running for re-election this time and he’s going to be tough to beat, especially given Northern Ontario’s seeming propensity to re-elect incumbents. His campaign got off to an early start in the sign war, with Rota signs springing up the day the election was called.

The Conservatives are represented by North Bay lawyer Joe Sinicrope. The interesting twist to this story is that Sinicrope once sought the Liberal nomination and was defeated in that quest by the same Anthony Rota who now holds the seat. Despite some delay in rolling out their visible campaign, the Conservatives now appear to be running in full gear.

The New Democrat hopeful this time around is Dianna Allen. Allen is a retired nurse who currently lives in Parry Sound—Muskoka riding. Although Allen was nominated a little late, several days into the campaign, she got off to a quick start with daily interviews and news releases in the first few days after her nomination. Since then, there has been somewhat of a silence emanating from the New Democrat campaign.

The Green Party is being represented by North Bay businessman and community activist Craig Bridges. The Greens are definite players in the sign war, for the first time, although their signs tend to be understated and strategically located rather than broadcast as the other parties have them.

In terms of the sign war, the Liberals definitely have the edge on public spaces but also on private property. The NDP have not yet deployed any signs.

This week, the candidates were at Canadore College/Nipissing university for a student-sponsored all-candidates meeting. Unfortunately, I was unable to attend but I can say from personal experience that the Greens and the New Democrats usually are better-received at this debate than at any of the others. The big-money debate, so to speak, in this riding is the North Bay Chamber of Commerce debate. I’ll try to attend that one, if I can, and report back on it.

In summary, look for Rota to retain this riding. I predict the margin will be similar to what it was last time.