Affordability, housing and health care are top voter concerns in Sydney-Glace Bay

The signs are up and federal campaigning is well underway in the newly redrawn riding of Sydney-Glace Bay.

Liberal candidate Mike Kelloway was first elected MP for the former riding of Cape Breton-Canso in 2019, but he now has new ground to cover while running in what has become a more urban district.

"To run in the place which has given me everything, where my mom and dad in Glace Bay raised me, to give back and to act in the service of others, is something I really take seriously," Kelloway said during a break in campaigning.  

"I like to think that myself and my staff are the hardest-working group in Canada when it comes to MP and when it comes to the MP's office."

The past riding of Cape Breton-Canso included Glace Bay, plus the island counties of Richmond and Inverness, and parts of Guysborough County on the mainland.

Now, the riding of Sydney-Glace Bay includes those urban communities, where the population has been growing, plus North Sydney and Sydney Mines.

The new riding boasts more than 82,000 people.

Kelloway said on the doorstep, people are talking about "bread and butter issues" such as affordability, housing and health care. 

He said some voters have expressed an interest in helping out politically, adding they're concerned about the recent actions of United States President Donald Trump, tariff threats and possible effects on Canada's economy. 

"People are fired up and we've seen an increase in volunteers, an increase in donors, an increase in signs. People want to be part of the solution and are getting involved," Kelloway said.

NDP candidate Kimberly Losier said the rising cost of living is the reason she stepped up to run as MP for Sydney-Glace Bay. As a credit union employee, Losier said she has the expertise required to create a strong economic plan.

"We need to be able to afford to have our paycheques cover our bills at the end of the month. We need to be able to not have to worry about whether or not you have a credit card to be able to go to the grocery store," said Losier. 

"I'm here for the person because I know your struggle. I've been there, I've lived it, and I want to be here to help your dollar go further."

Lawyer and business owner Anna Manley is the Conservative Party candidate for the riding. She declined an interview with CBC News, saying in an email she'd rather focus on campaigning.

During Tuesday's Sydney-Glace Bay debate organized by CBC News, Manley talked about her vision for the riding.

"I just want my kids to want to stay here. I want to build a Cape Breton of opportunity. I am a builder. I have built businesses, I have renovated old houses. I like to build things. And the Cape Breton that I want to build … for my kids is a Cape Breton of opportunity."

Manley said she's also hearing from voters about affordability, and suggests the Conservatives are the best party to lead Canadians toward a more prosperous future.

In total there are eight candidates running in Sydney-Glace Bay, including Independent Joe Ward, Jeffrey Evely with the People's Party, Libertarian Michael Pittman, Chris Gallant with the Canadian Future Party, and Marxist-Leninist candidate Nik Boisvert.