Nepean's Mark Carney surprise further disrupts the local race

Mark Carney's candidacy in Ottawa's Nepean riding may be shifting the dial when it comes to voters in the area.

The Liberal leader declared his candidacy for the suburban riding when he announced the election on Sunday. 

It's a seat that was previously occupied by Liberal MP Chandra Arya for nearly a decade. But the party revoked his nomination last week — causing confusion among some of his constituents.

Now, Carney's candidacy has some voters reconsidering who they'll be voting for.

"This is the first time I actually am not able to make a decision," said Nepean resident Naina Kansal.

Kansal said she previously planned to vote Conservative. But now that Carney is Liberal leader, her choice isn't so clear-cut.

Instead, she'll be waiting for a leaders' debate before making her final choice.

Kansal isn't the only one who's torn. Under Justin Trudeau's leadership, the federal Liberals fell far behind in polls. But CBC's poll tracker now puts Carney's Liberals neck-and-neck with Pierre Poilievre's Conservatives.

Syed Alamdar also lives in the riding, and said Carney's leadership makes a "huge difference."

"Before Carney entered the race, I think it was evident most people were willing to vote for the Conservatives," he said.

He had been leaning toward voting Conservative, but now "it'll be a tough choice" between Carney and the riding's Conservative candidate Barbara Bal.

"I think she will give Carney a run for his money," he said.

Faraaz Jan said he will likely be voting Liberal.

"Prior to Carney being made the Liberal leader I was a little bit unsure," he said. "But I think because of his qualifications ... I think that's probably changed the way I vote."

Nepean's race so far also includes Yan Mo Maneechai of the People's Party. Candidates have until April 7 to submit their nomination.

Party leaders seek seats in Ottawa

Poilievre meanwhile is hoping to retain his seat in a neighbouring riding this election. He's been the MP for what is now Carleton since 2004.

If either Poilievre or Carney is elected prime minister, it would be the first time since the 1880s that a prime minister was also the MP for a riding in what's now Ottawa.

Election day is April 28.