Mmm... cinnamon buns
February 12, 2008 | 04:06 PM
John Archer
Sharing campaign office space is becoming an increasingly common story in this election. With a lack of available commercial space and sky high rental rates, it's not unusual to find candidates from adjoining constituencies splitting the cost of rent and utilities for a spot that's convenient to both them and their volunteers. Usually, it's a vacant spot in a strip mall. Usually.
The NDP candidates for two south Edmonton ridings have a pretty unique space. Christina Gray is running in Edmonton-Mill Woods and Marilyn Assheton-Smith is the candidate in Edmonton-Ellerslie. Their headquarters is a vacant bungalow smack dab in the middle of residential Mill Woods.
Party leader Brian Mason decided this was where he wanted to have a news conference to talk about auto insurance.
The kitchen of the candidates' office is visible behind NDP Leader Brian Mason. (CBC)
So the NDP backdrop and podium went up in the living room. Laptop computers and telephones were set up on desks in the dining room. And in the kitchen were the real necessities — a fresh pot of coffee and homemade cinnamon buns on a plate on top of the stove.
Being house guests, we members of the media kicked off our shoes in the back hall. Maps, poll numbers and campaign signs took up almost every bit of available space on all the walls.
The neighbours are apparently not concerned about having two political campaigns being run out of a house right beside them. The volunteers have been forewarned not to jam up the street with their cars.
Rent is $1200 a month for two months (thanks to the election being three days into March) and the utilities are $250 a week (that'll be a five week tab).
Gray and Assheton-Smith said there was just no affordable commercial space to rent in south Edmonton. The homeowner is planning to put the house back on the market later this year so two months' rent helps with the mortgage payments.
