As election signs crowd our streets, leaders hold rallies and our airwaves are full of political advertising, we seldom consider the candidates who run knowing they have almost no chance of winning. These are people who put their names on ballots in ridings dominated by political heavyweights or party strongholds. 

In the documentary, "The Longshots", CBC producer Joan Webber introduces us to four former longshot candidates from elections past who ran despite impossible odds. There is Kyle Warwick, a then 22-year-old political science student who campaigned while studying for his finals. Then there is Yvon Vadnais, who decided to run against Justin Trudeau in his Papineau riding and Matt Master Bergener, a musician who rode horseback through Calgary while challenging then PM Stephen Harper. Finally there is Beatrice Ghettuba, an immigrant from Kenya who wanted to run to counter people’s expectations of an immigrant. 

In the doc, you’ll discover why these candidates take on the grueling work of running for office when the chance of winning is close to impossible. 

The doc was produced by Joan Webber and originally aired on The Current.

Storylines is part of the CBC Audio Doc Unit