Lots of interest in Liberal nomination in Nickel Belt

With four people already in the race, Liberals in Nickel Belt are feeling optimistic about their chances heading into next fall's federal election.

The riding is currently held by NDP MP Claude Gravelle, who was nominated last summer to run again when Leader Thomas Mulcair was in town. Gravelle was first elected in 2008 when longtime Liberal MP Ray Bonin retired, and was re-elected in 2011.

Created in 1953, the seat has changed hands between the NDP and the Grits, including John Rodriguez, who held the seat from 1972-1993, except for Liberal Judy Erola's short tenure as MP from 1980-1984. The Progressive Conservatives have never held the riding.

In the race so far are Marc Serré, whose father, Gaetan, held the seat for the Liberals from 1968-1972; Jim Belanger, whose grandmother was Azilda Belanger, after whom the town was named; Pablo Gil-Alfau, the principal at Confederation Secondary School; and Chelmsford Lawyer Gérard Guimond.

Daniel Gingras, president of the Nickel Belt Riding Association, said the number of candidates reflects a surge in interest in the party in the massive riding, which totals about 30,000 square kilometres. Membership in the riding has increased from about 25 a few years ago to more than 1,000.

“It's been a big turnaround for us and we're rebuilding the Liberal base,” Gingras said.

He attributes the enthusiasm to party Leader Justin Trudeau, who Gingras said has helped them draw younger members between the ages of 28 and 40.

He described Nickel Belt as a bellwether riding that tends to elect members whenever the Liberals are in government.

“When (former party leader) Stephane Dion was last here, he told me they need Nickel Belt to win a majority,” Gingras said.

A spokesperson for the Liberals said Monday no date has been set for the nomination meeting, and Gingras said he was told the party aims to nominate candidates in about 80 of Ontario's 106 ridings before Christmas.

“So ours probably won't be until early next year,” he said. “We need to get the green light from the party first.”