Politics

Denise Peterson-Rafuse, the NDP incumbent in Chester-St. Margaret’s, believes she is in a position to take the majority of the votes from those working in the film industry.

Just two years ago, there were 2,000 folk employed in the industry, and historically the bulk of them live in artisan communities doting the South Shore. Then the Liberal government of Stephen McNeil gutted the film tax credit, removing a fund of $24 million in what Peterson-Rafuse calls an ill-conceived move.

NDP boss Gary Burrill is pinning his election hopes on a millennial — 27-year-old Kaley Kennedy who is co-charing the NDP campaign effort.

If Jamie Baillie hopes to win the May 30 vote, he will have to win over vote-rich Metro Halifax.

Baillie has managed to attract two high profile Halifax Regional Municipality challengers for the Tories — HRM councilor Matt Whitman in Hammonds Plains, and Rob Batherson in Halifax Citadel.

Film industry aid an issue, says Batherson, but production is up

Tory leader Jamie Baillie this week promised to return the $24 million film tax credit that was slashed two years ago by the Liberal McNeil government.

In the Jamie Baillie war room in an office building in downtown Halifax, party strategists have taken to calling their campaign organization “the turn-around team.”

And occupying a pivotal role as campaign manager is Chad Bowie, a product of Monastery, Antigonish County.

Adam Rodgers is firmly behind Lisa Raitt for the federal Tory party’s leadership.

As candidates fan out across the province in this election campaign, hopefully small business issues will play a significant role alongside health, education, and paving. All parties will be highlighting their strengths as stewards of the economy.

The head of the Atlantic organizing committee for former Tory leadership contestant Kevin O’Leary is now solidly entrenched in the Maxime Bernier camp.