The Prime Minister arrived in a riding east of Toronto today – to rally the Liberal troops – ahead of a looming provincial byelection.

Justin Trudeau says Ontario now has an “ambitious and dedicated” federal partner in Ottawa – and local candidate Elizabeth Roy will be able to work with his government – on issues of concern  to Whitby-Oshawa.

One doesn’t often see a Prime Minister wading into a provincial byelection – but call it “pay back” – because Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne took a high-profile role in Trudeau’s campaign in the recent federal election – which apparently paid off.

The balance of power in the provincial legislature won’t change if  the long-held Tory seat goes Liberal – but candidate Elizabeth Roy says this is the first time in nearly 30 years the party has a chance of taking this seat – most recently held by Progressive Conservative Christine Elliott and, before that, her late husband Jim Flaherty.