There's no way just yet of knowing if Canadians will punish Stephen Harper's Conservatives for calling a snap election or if they'll use their ballots to give the party a vote of confidence after two and a half years of minority government.

In stark contrast to the tortuous election campaign process south of the border, this campaign will be a virtual blink of the eye at just 37 days -- one day longer than the minimum required under federal law.

When voters go to the polls in Niagara, they'll see some familiar names on the ballot along with newcomers.

The fast pace of the campaign might make it more difficult for newcomers to earn name recognition.

ST. CATHARINES RIDING

In St. Catharines riding, covering the northern majority of a city hit by a number of plant closures in recent years, a rematch between incumbent Conservative Rick Dykstra and former Liberal MP Walt Lastewka could make for a tight contest. In the last election in January 2006, with more than 55,000 votes cast, Dykstra knocked Lastewka -- a long-time MP -- out by a mere 244 votes in a nail-biter. Dykstra might have been helped by a strong showing by NDP candidate Jeff Burch, who with nearly 12,000 votes no doubt ate into Lastewka's potential vote pool.

This time around, clergyman George Addison is carrying the NDP flag, while Jim Fannon, who captured 2,306 votes in the last election, is back again to represent the Green Party.

NIAGARA WEST-GLANBROOK RIDING

In Niagara West-Glanbrook, Niagara's most affluent riding with an average family income of nearly $94,000 according to the 2006 census -- almost $24,000 more than the other Niagara ridings -- Liberal flag-bearer and businesswoman Heather Carter is also back for a second run at a seat in Parliament. She'll have to face two-term Conservative incumbent Dean Allison, who with 27,221 votes beat her by nearly 10,000 votes in 2006. But that was after squeaking past Liberal candidate and former Regional Chair Debbie Zimmerman by only a few hundred votes in 2004.

Small business owner Dave Bylsma will return as Christian Heritage Party candidate in the riding, while teacher Sid Frere will represent the Green Party. The NDP has yet to name a candidate.

NIAGARA FALLS RIDING

In the last election, incumbent Conservative MP Rob Nicholson faced tough opposition from both Liberal candidate Gary Burroughs, Lord Mayor of Niagara-on-the-Lake, and Canadian Auto Workers head Wayne Gates representing the NDP. Gates came in with more than 12,000 votes and Burroughs had nearly 21,000, compared to 23,489 for Nicholson, a veteran who had previously served as MP for the riding before being taken down along with the former Conservative government of Brian Mulroney.

This time, Nicholson's pedigree is more prominent, having served as Minister of Justice and Attorney General, and having passed some new tough-on-crime legislation that traditional Conservative supporters like. He'll face Liberal candidate Joyce Morocco, who was a Niagara Falls city councillor before being knocked from office in the last municipal election, along with Green Party candidate Shawn Willick, a teacher, and Chris Bell, representing the Canadian Action Party. As of press time, an NDP candidate had yet to be named for the riding.

WELLAND RIDING

If there's one riding where the economy will be front and centre, it will be in this riding still reeling from the John Deere shocker.

Veteran Liberal candidate John Maloney, who was the only Niagara Liberal to win a seat in the region last time around, faced a very strong campaign by Jodi DiBartolomeo, who placed second with 17,484 votes compared to Maloney's 20,238 votes. Conservative Mel Grunstein made it a close three-way split with nearly 17,000 votes as well.

The riding, which also covers the southern half of St. Catharines since it was realigned several years ago, will see Maloney face off this time against businessman Alfred Kiers, representing the Conservatives, and electrician and Pelham town councillor Malcolm Allen representing the NDP.