Conservatives pick union member to go after blue-collar voters in upcoming Elmwood-Transcona byelection

The federal Conservatives have picked an electrician who calls himself a proud union member to run for the party in a working-class Winnipeg riding.

Colin Reynolds will represent the Conservatives in an upcoming byelection in Elmwood-Transcona, a seat known for its blue-collar roots.

In a video posted on social media Friday morning, Reynolds says he’s a construction electrician and a “proud member” of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 2085.

“Jagmeet Singh and Justin Trudeau’s costly coalition does not represent union workers like me,” he says, referring to a confidence-and-supply agreement between the two parties.

He goes on to blame the current federal government for the rising cost of living and says crime is running rampant in Winnipeg.

Reynolds says he grew up in the Valley Gardens neighbourhood. He and his wife have three adult children. 

The Conservatives are continuing to ride high in the polls nationally, and the party hopes that momentum can carry them to victory in Elmwood-Transcona.

A byelection must be called by Sept. 29, according to Elections Canada. The latest date it can be held is Nov. 18.

The riding has predominantly belonged to the NDP and the Blaikie family from the beginning.

Daniel Blaikie held the seat for nearly a decade until he resigned earlier this year for a role advising Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew’s government. Blaikie’s late father, Bill, was an MP for almost 30 years before that.

The Conservatives held the seat briefly from 2011 to 2015.

In May, NDP members selected Leila Dance, the executive director of the Transcona BIZ, as their candidate.

The governing Liberals have yet to say who will carry their banner in the byelection.