Why door knocking works: the 'terrifying' art of political canvassing

To an outsider, political canvassing looks gruelling.

Not only do you need to ask people who don't necessarily want to be bothered for their support, but you have to deal with a seemingly steady stream of rejection.

"It's terrifying," said candidate Pamela Reid. "It takes you outside of your comfort zone and puts you out a little further than you want to go, but it's good."

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Reid is a 17-year veteran of the Green Party. Normally behind the scenes, the 2018 Ontario election is the first time she's put herself out there as a candidate running in London West.

In a riding that many see as a two-way battle between incumbent New Democrat Peggy Sattler and the Progressive Conservative star candidate Andrew Lawton, there are many who might write her off.

Lots of undecided voters

However, Reid sees an opportunity, especially when so many voters still haven't made up their minds.

"They're generally not inspired, or confused. They don't know who to vote for, I think a lot of people arelost and they're not seeing answers."

A common theme she's hearing at the door is that voters are sick of bickering at Queens Park and on the campaign trail.

"I empathize with people who are lost," she said. "I was lost too and then I found the Green Party in 2001 and I've been at home ever since."

Probably not the winner

Reid, like the party itself, is playing the long game. When she knocks on doors and engages voters, she listens and she tells them about her party's platform, but she also tells them the best is yet to come, aware that she's not likely to win the seat.

"I'm happy with five per cent of the vote," she said. "If, every year we go up half a percent, we're growing and if we can even raise the issue of climate change, how it connects to the economy, how it connects to our healthcare, how it connects to education....then they're going to think about that, you can't go back to not knowing those things."