While Cowichan voters won't be choosing Canada's next prime minister directly, the candidates they can vote for say they've got a lot in common with their party leaders.

For each of Cowichan's five federal candidates, these party leaders are well-suited to run the nation.

“Canadians have gotten to know (Prime Minister) Stephen Harper better in the past two and a half years and it's clear they've appreciated his steady hand on the affairs of state,” said Conservative candidate Reed Elley. “I think on the world stage we know we have a prime minister who is actually listened to and respected.”

Elley first met Harper in 1993.

“I had the sense that here was a young man who was going to go places — and he certainly has,” said the candidate.

In fact, after Elley took some time off from politics after serving as MP for Cowichan twice, Harper called the Chemainus resident to encourage him to get back in the race in 2006.

“Finally we have a prime minister who is from western Canada, finally we have a prime minister who's not a lawyer, and finally we have a prime minister who's not a millionaire,” added Elley. “He represents the average Canadian values, he's a hard worker and he's a good family man. I think he just sends a great example to the rest of the country.”

Liberal candidate Brian Scott, meanwhile, supported party leader Stephane Dion at the Liberal convention. Scott said Dion's handling of Quebec separatists is just one of the reasons he supports the party leader.

“He really rose to the occasion,” said Scott. “I don't think voters know what he did during that referendum, and he did that at great personal cost. He was reviled by the separatists because he basically took their arguments apart. He's got this courage — he just keeps getting up and he doesn't shy away from a good fight.”

And Scott said Dion is focused on a variety of social issues and environmental protection.

“He's got integrity in spades,” he added. “He's one of these people that when you're talking to him, you just know he's honest. I think he's a fantastic fellow.”

For NDP incumbent Jean Crowder, party leader Jack Layton has what it takes to lead the country because he's in tune with its citizens.

“I think Jack (Layton) would make a great prime minister because he's talking about the things that are important to people,” she said. “He's talking about the things that would make a concrete difference in people's lives.”

Some of these things, said Crowder, include child care, more doctors and nurses, affordable post-secondary education, public transit and environmental protection.

“I think Jack will stand on his word and I think that's something that's really important to Canadians right now,” she added.

Green Party candidate Christina Knighton said she was impressed by party leader Elizabeth May when they were first introduced.

“She's innovative and fresh, and she brings a whole new platform to government,” said Knighton.

Key Green Party policies that both May and Knighton stand behind are using a GPI (Genuine Progress Indicator) to measure the quality of life in Canada, tax shifting for the benefit of non-polluters and a “guaranteed livable income,” which would be above the poverty line and take the place of welfare and employment insurance.

“She's a very personable, sparkling character with a lot of visions for the future, which are totally integrated and common-sense,” added Knighton. “She has a real grasp of realities.”

Marxist-Leninist candidate Jack East said he and his party leader, Anna Di Carlo, have very similar beliefs.

“She's intelligent and she's competent,” he said. “She's capable of defining and describing the class struggle in Canada.”

East said Di Carlo, like himself, values honesty and truth in government and supports “worker politicians” who can best represent the country and its working class.