When Tom Mulcair won the Outremont riding in a by-election in 2007, ending decades of Liberal victories, it was a big upset.

“People realize that the NDP is real in Quebec, that we have a chance at winning ridings,” he said at the time.

But Rachel Bendayan, a lawyer and first-time Liberal candidate, is fighting hard to chip away at Mulcair's support in the riding.

In 2011, Mulcair won by a landslide, garner nearly 13,000 more votes than the Liberal challenger at the time.

Eight years later, Mulcair's message is much the same as it was back in 2007.

“We've been told for a long time that this was a … Liberal fortress. I've won there three times and I have every intention of regaining the confidence of the voters there,” he said.

Bendayan says she believes her strength is the work she’s been putting in in the riding, talking to the constituents.

“I've been to over 350 community events, I've knocked on almost 12,000 doors, I've had conversations with people all over this riding and I think that's what matters the most. I'm definitely here, I'm definitely present,” she said.

Her campaign posters are now covered with stickers that say present, a shot at Mulclair who's busy with a national campaign and can't afford to spend much time in his own riding.

Justin Trudeau made a provocative move Thursday night, taking advantage of Mulcair's absence and stopping in Outremont to rally the troops.

“The reception was absolutely fantastic. It was a great surprise visit and I think it really highlights how important Outremont is to the Liberal Party,” Bendayan said.

But Mulcair dismissed Trudeau's trek onto his turf.

“Well, it's a free country, people can do that all they want, he said.

“My adversary in this election campaign is Stephen Harper. He's the person I want to defeat and replace.”