NDP candidate Alex Johnstone says she's not taking it personally that federal party leader Thomas Mulcair thought she was a man.

In an interview with CBC Hamilton on Tuesday, Mulcair identified Johnstone, candidate for the riding of Hamilton West-Ancaster-Dundas, as "a wonderful man with great experience."

The two-time NDP candidate said she has spoken to Mulcair more than once. But campaigns are hectic and there's a lot to keep track of, she said.

This is exactly why we need more women in politics. - Alex Johnstone, NDP candidate

"You know what? It's quick and busy in the campaign," she said. "I have had a couple of conversations with Mulcair. But we're very busy."

Johnstone added that Mulcair is not the first person to hear her name and assume she's male, particularly in the political realm.

"This is exactly why we need more women in politics," she said.

Johnstone, vice-chair of the Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board, is running in a new riding where the three major parties are in a tight race. The riding will be "very key" in this fall's election, she said.

"I think that this riding is very much a bellwether riding, and I think that whoever makes government will win that seat," she said.

Johnstone and Mulcair met again on Tuesday, when he spoke at a rally of party faithful at the Hamilton Convention Centre as part of a tour of southwestern Ontario.

Scott Duvall, NDP candidate for Hamilton Mountain, was in the audience, and said he'll take a leave of absence from his responsibilities as a city councillor for Ward 7 during the election.

His staff will handle calls, he said, but he will be "in the background." He also said he won't take a city paycheque during that time.