Former cabinet minister eyes provincial run
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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 30/11/2015 (3777 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
A former cabinet minister in the Harper government may contest the provincial Progressive Conservative nomination in Assiniboia.
Steven Fletcher, 43, who served as a member of Parliament for Charleswood—St. James—Assiniboia from 2004 until his defeat by Liberal Doug Eyolfson on Oct. 19, says he’s “seriously considering” a provincial run in next spring’s general election.
Fletcher said in an interview that he’s been encouraged by several current and former MLAs to let his name stand.
“I love public service. It’s something that I can do. And I love the people who I represented, which included the people (in the provincial constituency) of Assiniboia,” he said.
The provincial Progressive Conservatives had scheduled a nomination meeting for Assiniboia on Nov. 4, but it was abruptly cancelled just as it was getting started due to membership “irregularities.”
The party has never explained exactly what occurred. PC members were to choose between two candidates — Robert Harper and Michael Bailey.
The constituency, once a Tory stronghold, is now represented by the NDP’s Jim Rondeau, who is not seeking re-election.
Fletcher said he’s heard that Harper and Bailey had withdrawn from the contest, although that could not immediately be confirmed.
Fletcher said he will not make a decision on his political future before Christmas.
“I am going to enjoy the holidays,” he said.
While he’s not married, Fletcher said he is very close to his parents, his siblings and their spouses and wants to discuss his future with them.
He wouldn’t say if he’s been asked by the party brass to run.
Fletcher was the first quadriplegic to serve in the House of Commons, as well as the federal cabinet.
Mike Richards, a spokesman for the provincial Tories, would not say whether Bailey and Harper had withdrawn their names.
“I’m not really at liberty to get into that,” the local lawyer said on Monday.
The constituency held a meeting over the Grey Cup weekend, but that was done “just for planning purposes,” Richards said.
He said the PCs haven’t set a date for a nomination meeting for Assiniboia. That’s expected to occur in the new year.
Asked about a Fletcher candidacy, Richards said: “He would be an outstanding candidate, but we’ll see how all this develops.”
Manitobans go to the polls on April 19.
larry.kusch@freepress.mb.ca