Recent polls show the Esquimalt-Saanich-Sooke riding a B次元官网网址榯oss-upB次元官网网址�

If any proof were needed that the Green Party was targeting the hotly-contested Esquimalt-Saanich-Sooke riding, it could be found on the first campaign day of the federal election.

Green Party candidate David Merner was driving to Sooke from his office in Esquimalt and the first indication of the election were signs B次元官网网址� all from the Green Party. No other party had signs up until the next day.

B次元官网网址淲e have a really good shot of winning here,B次元官网网址� mused Merner at the time.

Polls show that Merner has an edge in the race over NDP incumbent Randall Garrison. ItB次元官网网址檚 a battleground replicated across Vancouver Island where Greens are hoping to flip NDP seats green.

The Greens received a boost last May when the party won the Nanaimo-Ladysmith byelection, and, more importantly, where the NDP dropped to third place.

It was the first time in years the riding, located in a basin of huge labour support, flipped.

B次元官网网址淲e looked at that and said, B次元官网网址業f we can win in Ladysmith then we can certainly win here,B次元官网网址橞次元官网网址� Merner said.

But while the polls are showing a B次元官网网址渢oss upB次元官网网址� of who could take the Esquimalt-Saanich-Sooke seat, Garrison said thatB次元官网网址檚 not what he or his volunteers are seeing when door-knocking or telephoning voters.

B次元官网网址淲e donB次元官网网址檛 have any evidence of drifting NDP support or any big surge in Green support,B次元官网网址� said Garrison who was first elected in 2011 and won the riding by more than 5,200 votes in 2011.

B次元官网网址淭hey targeted us [in the last election] and finished third.B次元官网网址�

Climate change is a big issue with residents in the riding, said Merner, who ran as a Liberal in 2015.

B次元官网网址淐limate change is a critical issue. I hear it on the doorsteps everyday. ThatB次元官网网址檚 going to affect how people vote,B次元官网网址� he said.