One thing is certain. No matter what happens here on election day, no matter what happens across the country in the aftermath of these three by-elections, the overall calibre of the people on the ballot indicates that Westmount is guaranteed excellent representation in Ottawa in the foreseeable future.

Just look at who we have in the running. There’s lawyer Guy Dufort, the witty and affable Tory; broadcaster and ardent environmentalist Claude William Genest supporting the Green cause; and broadcaster Anne Lagacé Dowson, whose NDP is mounting a fervent campaign in the hopes of maintaining the momentum from Tom Mulcair’s recent victory in Outremont.

All three have been working hard every day, knocking on doors and shaking hands in a tireless effort to convince people against betting the farm on the big red Liberal machine driven by Marc Garneau, a national hero and role model running in what is considered one of the safest Liberal ridings. For their part, Garneau and his team are not taking a single vote for granted, and have kept up a full schedule of events.

And then there is Charles Larivée, from all accounts a bright young gentleman with good credentials, who hopes to see the Bloc flag hoisted high over Westmount. He seems an excellent candidate for his party, but so far all we have seen of him is his poster, which bears the simple slogan Present! Naturally, this has inspired some barbed quips around the other campaign offices, mostly to the effect that, contrary to his name and slogan, he has neither arrived nor been present in Westmount.

It's too early to offer any significant insight into independents Régent Millette, David Sommer Rovins and Ronald Andrew Wattie — all newcomers to the scene who emerged from the clearing dust of last Monday's nomination deadline.

As the campaign heats up, we will hear a lot more from these formidable candidates, and will definitely learn more about them at next Wednesday’s Meet the Candidates evening at Westmount High School.