Inside the Local Campaign

Inside the Local Campaign reveals what goes on in constituency campaigns during a Canadian election. It brings to light the key roles of candidates and their supporters on the ground in ridings across Canada, and demonstrates that local electioneering matters. For decades, the media has focused primarily on the national campaign and party leaders. The practice of canvassing for votes by candidates and their supporters has been seen as more tradition than science, and constituency campaigns have been viewed as rituals when the party brand is dominated by the leader’s personality. But things have evolved in the age of digital media. Local-level campaigning is more fashionable – and critical for gathering data that can be used post-election. Using the 2021 federal campaign as an anchor, an impressive collection of authors and practitioners discusses local-level campaigning in electoral districts across the country, highlights local trends and on-the-ground roles, and discloses hidden details about how local campaigns are run. Inside the Local Campaign gives readers the first look at what goes on in elections in an environment where every mistake is magnified and party candidates are key to amplifying national-level messaging.