Carney campaigns in Sault Ste. Marie on Friday

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Carney campaigns in Sault Ste. Marie

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Liberal Leader Mark Carney campaigned in Sault Ste. Marie on Friday.

It’s one of many stops that federal leaders have made in the Sault since the writ dropped for the April 28 federal election.

Before speaking about politics, Carney addressed the tragedy that took place last weekend that claimed the life of a 15-year-old victim.

“Before I begin, I just want to take a moment, to offer my deepest condolences to the family of Connor Dunne, a promising local hockey player, and by all accounts, an incredible young man,” he said.

Carney’s visit centred on getting a first-hand look at Algoma Steel, with a chance to meet the workers the government aims to protect from American tariffs with a plan to support those directly affected, using revenue from matching tariffs.

Friday, he provided more details on who would be eligible.

“It’s principally going to go to those industries at the core and one or two steps removed along the supply chain,” Carney said.

Poilievre, Singh also in the north

“But then the advantage of that is you get -- to talk like an economist for a second -- the multiplier effect of that support that goes there.”

Carney’s stop comes just a few weeks after visits from Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre in the Sault, and NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh in Timmins.

Poilievre will be back in the north Saturday for an event in Sudbury.

David Tabachnik, a political science professor at Nipissing University, said the focus on northern Ontario reflects the region’s relevance on a number of hot-button issues.

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“I think it’s an obvious place for them to go, whether Timmins or the Sault or, Nipissing, Temiskaming, to talk about, not just getting those minerals out of the ground, but also the supply chain, which, the federal government will be partners with the provincial government in establishing,” Tabachnik said.

All indicators point toward high voter turnout in Monday’s election, with Tabachnik wondering if it could rival the 75 per cent rate seen in 1988’s Free Trade election.

He said the frequent visits by leaders to northern Ontario could lead to especially high voter turnout in the region -- and tip the scales in some ridings.