Mayoral candidates at an October forum. From left: Dennis Nowoselsky, Darryl Hickie, Josh Morrow, incumbent Greg Dionne. (Alison Sandstrom/paNOW Staff)

By Alison Sandstrom

Campaigning and COVID

Prince Albert mayoral candidates discuss approaches to campaigning during COVID-19

Nov 6, 2020 | 4:00 PM

A lack of large gatherings due to the pandemic has forced Prince Albert mayoral contenders to adapt their campaign strategies this year. Now, with three days to the election and a major snow storm anticipated this weekend, three say their efforts are winding down, while one is planning a major push over the next few days.

Candidate Josh Morrow told paNOW campaigning this election cycle has been more challenging than when he ran four years ago.

“You don’t have the ability to get 15, 30, 75, 200 people in one gathering and really get your message out,” Morrow explained.

To adapt, Morrow says he’s relied more on Facebook and Instagram, delivering door-knockers city-wide, and news media.

Incumbent Greg Dionne said he’s similarly missed large gatherings, in particular he said fall suppers and Raider games are normally important opportunities for campaigning.

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Still Dionne said he’s had some groups organize small physically-distanced events for him. While he hasn’t been doing much door knocking, he’s met residents in their yards and focused on being visible on the street with his campaign van.

“It’s been probably one of the best tools I’ve utilized this election,” Dionne said of the vehicle. “When I drive the neighborhoods people do stop me because they see me coming.”

Darryl Hickie has also changed his approach at the door. Instead of conversations on the step, Hickie delivered his contact information to residents and invited them to contact him. He said the method was beneficial and often lead to more productive conversations and interesting questions because residents were able to reach out on their own schedules.

“I think the questions that I received were very insightful and direct, very good questions,” Hickie said. “People in Prince Albert were in very tune with our local political scene when it comes to municipal governance.”

Dennis Nowoselsky appears to have run the most traditional campaign of all four candidates, focusing on door-knocking, although he acknowledged masking and distancing made for shorter conversations. He said he and a small team have canvased all 11,000 homes and condos in Prince Albert.

“It was a long and hard task but we did the entire city,” he said, adding he chose the approach to save money .

Nowoselsky said he has also personally visited most of the business community in Prince Albert. He has a few businesses left on list to visit Saturday before he finishes the campaign.

“Sunday I’m going to church and praying,” he said. “I gave it a hard fight on a limited budget.”

Meanwhile Morrow and Hickie both said they had a some social media posts planned for the weekend but otherwise thought the weather would make most campaigning impossible.

“This weekend will be a fantastic opportunity while everyone’s sitting in their home watching the snow fly to research the candidates and select the one they feel most comfortable with.”

Dionne on the other hand said he has five small gatherings organized this weekend.

“I’m going hard the next three days,” he said.

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alison.sandstrom@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @alisandstrom