When spring flings mud, rural P.E.I. candidates go where others fear to tread
CBC
The mud slinging has begun. Literally.
As spring thaw sets in across Prince Edward Island, muddy rural roads have candidates from all parties slipping and sliding as they hunt down votes.
"I don't know who called this spring election," said Ranald MacFarlane, running for the Green Party in District 18: Rustico-Emerald. "It's a combination of mud and snow and I'm not gonna complain. I take a shovel with me everywhere."
It's a rare point of agreement among provincial election candidates in rural areas this spring: The Island's 1,500 kilometres of unpaved roads and an uncounted number of long dirt driveways are making for some tough sledding on the campaign trail.
The Progressive Conservative incumbent in District 18, now in his fourth election campaign, can rhyme off a top-ten list of the boggy bits in his area.
"We've got the Toronto Road extension, Centre Road, parts of Millvale, Trout River Road, " said Brad Trivers. "We've done a lot of work on some of them over the years but they still get really muddy… We've had some real off-roading experiences, let me tell you."
Mud is not unique to District 18.
P.E.I.'s silty soil, combined with high water content from melting snow and ground frost, can turn dirt roads into quagmires in March and April.
Spring weight restrictions imposed by the Department of Transportation are intended to protect road beds from damage by heavy trucks and farm machinery, but there are no restrictions on passenger vehicles.
Candidates, like all rural residents, must tread lightly.
Liberal candidate Flory Sanderson is canvassing District 18 in her four-wheel-drive pickup truck, but some long, muddy driveways are still impassible.
"Every vote matters," said Sanderson, "And I have not been able to get to every door because I cannot get down every driveway. It's not their fault, but I can't get down."
It helps to be prepared. Heavy footwear is de rigeur. A couple of candidates travel with shovels in the back seat. MacFarlane carries a sledge hammer, to pound election signs into frozen ground. He makes sure to carry cash, too.
"Just in case somebody has to haul me out ....Find the Mennonite with a solid horse."
The charge before the court was assault, the accused a 14-year-old girl in black-and-white Nikes. It was her first time being charged with a crime, and she felt her nerves bubble up inside her as she walked through the heavy wooden doors into a courtroom on the fourth floor of Winnipeg's towering law courts building. The only time she'd seen something like this was in the movies.