Bella the therapy dog was right by Wayne Gates’ side again at a campaign meet-and-greet in Niagara-on-the-Lake last Friday.
Gates is the NDP candidate seeking re-election as MPP for the Niagara Falls riding, which includes Niagara-on-the-Lake and Fort Erie, in the Feb. 27 provincial election.
He met with the community on Friday at the Exchange Brewery for casual chats.
Henry Wojnarowski, who grew up on York Road, takes his therapy dog Bella around town to provide people with emotional support.
Bella has been to all three of Gates’ election campaign parties so far.
Wojnarowski said Bella’s calming presence and ability to connect with people makes her an ideal companion for Gates’ campaign.
“Bella’s become kind of like a mascot for us,” Gates told The Lake Report in an interview.
The casual atmosphere of meet and greets is key, said Shannon Mitchell, Gates’ voter contact manager.
She said it provides a chance for voters to connect with Gates and his team in a relaxed setting — free from the typical formality of political engagements, she said.
“This is like one of those rare opportunities that we have to speak with voters directly,” said Mitchell. “To engage with voters in a really authentic way — that’s not part of a survey or a forum or a focus group.”
Gates said having conversations, whether about politics or personal topics, in a relaxed and approachable setting is “really who I am.”
He said it’s a priority to allow people to be themselves and have fun, while still being able to connect with him as their representative.
Gates supporter Colin Post — who has lived in NOTL since 1977 — said doing the meet-up here was also important as he’s watched the town become a major tourist hub over the years.
“It’s Wayne supporting local business and local people,” Post said.
Post, a labour activist, supports Gates because of his background in fighting for workers’ rights. He referred to when Gates was a “committee man” at General Motors and fought for workers while there.
“We advocate on behalf of the worker, because it seems like a lot of people don’t,” Post said.
Gates mingled with supporters and chatted, then thanked attendees — especially his campaign volunteers.
He noted how dedicated volunteers have been, even risking injury to put up 1,400 signs in two weeks despite icy conditions.
Many are seniors, but they refuse to let bad weather stop them from participating, he said.
Gates also criticized Doug Ford’s government for spending $200 million on an election instead of investing in areas like health care or education.
“There are so many better places to put any kind of money, never mind the $200 million for an unnecessary election,” he told the audience.
Early voting for the Feb. 27 election began Jan. 30 and runs until Feb. 26 at Elections Ontario, 4536 Portage Rd., Niagara Falls, from Monday to Saturday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and noon to 5 p.m. on Sundays.
Voting by mail is also available. You can apply online at votebymail.elections.on.ca/ and return your completed voting kit by Feb. 26.
In-person voting locations will be available after Feb. 14.
