The tea leaves suggest that Canadians may be going to the polls this spring, the minority government of Stephen Harper apparently waiting to see if the opposition has the desire to take the nation back to a vote.
If events locally are any indication, the opposition parties may have spread the word to the faithful that they are ready to force a confidence vote and take us all back to the voting booth.
Local Liberals selected a Prince Rupert resident as their flag carrier for any possible election call, Corinna Morhart was acclaimed as the nominee for Skeena Bulkley Valley, after Maarke Piket withdrew from the race last month, thinking that a possible election may conflict with a family wedding.
That was a definite step forward for family values, but certainly a sign that the Liberal chances may not be as solid as head office might like to think. The lack of other candidates for the nomination might be construed as a worrisome thing for Liberals.
Normally a Liberal nomination would attract a diverse group of possible candidates, each hoping to cash in on a national wave of Liberal votes. In fact, in many ridings across Canada, a Liberal nomination meeting attracts many looking for that guaranteed trip to Ottawa.
To only have one stand, is possibly a sign of a party that is not resonating with local residents at the moment. Regardless of the optics though, Ms. Morhart will now prepare to take the Liberal message to the riding and attempt to wrest the seat from NDP incumbent Nathan Cullen.
The Daily News profiled the candidate and her background as the campaign trail begins to show some early signs of life. It's a tad ironic that the Daily News provides more information about the Liberal candidate than the party's own website does at the moment.
The least the party could do for their candidate, would be to put Ms. Morhart's name on their list of candidates, it would be a good first step on the way to the anticipated election.
BATTLE LINES NOW DRAWN FOR ANTICIPATED ELECTION
Parties are picking their candidates in local riding as an election looms
By Leanne Ritchie
The Daily News
Tuesday, April 17, 2007
Pages one and three
As Members of Parliament return to the House of Commons this week, local political constituencies continue to sort themselves out in preparation for an election call.
Skeena-Bulkley Valley Liberals have selected Prince Rupert resident Corinna Morhart as their candidate by acclamation. The only other candidate, Maarke Picket, withdrew from the Liberal race last month.
“I am interested in hearing from people all over, from Bella Bella to the Yukon border, from the Queen Charlotte Islands to Fraser Lake,” said Morhart.
“We need to be heard in Ottawa and I am committed to serving this riding with honesty, hard work and integrity. I want to represent you in Ottawa, to bring a strong voice for our issues and concerns in this riding to the table.”
The nomination meeting was held in Terrace on April 11 in order to have a candidate in place in tie for a federal election that is widely expected for late May or early June. The Liberal Party of Canada is moving quickly to have candidates ready.
Piket and the riding executive will provide support and assistance to Morhart’s campaign team as they work together on an election readiness strategy that they hope will build the Liberal presence in the riding.
Local Liberals believe that Stephane Dion’s message of a richer, fairer, and greener Canada will resonate with local voters who are concerned about the direction that Stephen Harper’s Conservatives would lead the country.
Morhart has deep roots in the region having been born and raised in Terrace. She currently lives in Prince Rupert as she completes her Bachelor in Social Work at UNBC.
Morhart has three grown children and almost one year old grand daughter.
Her mother, Gerry Rhyason (nee Edgar) I Tsimshian from Lax Kw’alaams and her father, James Morhart currently resides in Terrace.
“It is with my family’s link to this are for 5,000 years, that I am committed and dedicated to go to Ottawa for positive changes in our region,” she said.
Piket withdrew her name when it became apparent that an election may clash with a family wedding on June 2.
Meanwhile, the Christian Heritage Party of Skeena-Bulkley Valley elected Rod Taylor to represent their party.
In his candidate’s speech, Taylor spoke on the topic of “Using Both Hands” a reference to the importance of a complete commitment to the building of families, communities and nations. Taylor emphasized the importance of defending moral principles while working to restore truth and justice in society. Taylor thanked party members for their support for his campaign to restore family values and social justice and he encouraged supporters to press on.
Two-time incumbent Skeena-Bulkley Valley NDP MP Nathan Cullen has said he will also run again in the upcoming election.
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