Former Manitoba justice minister Andrew Swan seeks NDP nod to run in federal election
Looks like Leah Gazan and Andrew Swan will be campaigning to get the NDP nomination in Winnipeg Centre. The federal seat is currently represented by Liberal MP Robert-Falcon Ouellette.
Reposted from the other thread:
I first got to know Swan when he ran for the NDP leadership in 2009. He blew up his campaign by agreeing with the Conservatives regarding running a hydroelectric line down the east side of Lake Winnipeg and then trying to walk it back. Since then, on so many other issues, he rolled over on any issue the PC opposition raised. It's also rich for him to complain about federal Liberal and Conservatives turning their backs on the poverty in the riding, as Doer's government did the exact same thing. That is one of the things contributing to the current meth crisis that is gripping our province. Also, as Justice Minister, he was all to happy to adopt Harper's tough-on-crime approach. How well do you think this is going to go over with First Nations voters in the riding, especially when one of their own is the incumbent MP? What message does a white guy running to defeat an incumbent First Nations MP send about his support for First Nations issues? Finally, his conduct as one of the members of the Gang of 5 who publicly mutinied against Greg Selinger are reprehensible, and he has not acknowledged that. I suspect that being an incumbent MLA and former Cabinet minister gives him an edge organizationally, but please, just go away already! First I had to put up with Pat Martin, then Falcon-Ouelette, and now this guy?
I don't know the players or their record. But whoever you elect, I hope they have the same nerve to vote against their party on matters of principle - as did Falcon-Ouellette when he and five other Liberals voted "no" to the CUPW back-to-work legislation.
I don't know the players or their record. But whoever you elect, I hope they have the same nerve to vote against their party on matters of principle - as did Falcon-Ouellette when he and five other Liberals voted "no" to the CUPW back-to-work legislation.
I did not know that unioninst. Having done that will certainly make it hard for the NDP to take back this area.
One of the upshots of Swan being nominated is that this gets him out of the Ledge. Quitting his seat, then losing in the federal election and going back will look just too dishonest and sleazy, and he could lose the renomination on that basis alone if he tries.
On the other hand, Ouellette did both sides the Boushie killing.
I have to say I am very impressed with Gazan's outreach efforts. I have heard a great deal from her campaign, and she has asked a few of the questions I sent her. Swan seems MIA. Even after the membership list was closed, he still had the option to try and contact me directly but he has not. I even tried to ask him a question via e-mial but that bounced back. Either Swan is confident that his network will carry him to victory, or he simply wanted out of politics and running for the federal nomination was merely a cover.
Winnipeg Centre, meet your next Member of Parliament:
Leah Gazan will represent the NDP in Winnipeg Centre in the fall's federal election.
She beat out longtime Minto MLA Andrew Swan at a nomination meeting on Sunday.
More than 900 people showed up at Knox United Church for the meeting.
The energy in the room for Leah was amazing. In addition to being solid on the policy and offering a positive vision, she hit on all the right notes and lit up the crowd. It was a well-deserved win. There will still be an uphill fight to win back the constituency, but I feel much better about the chances of the local team being able to pull off that challenge regardless of whether or not the federal party sends any support our way.
