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Former Winnipegger keen on provincial Liberal leadership

By: Staff Writer

Posted: 07/9/2012 6:26 PM | Comments: 0 | Last Modified: 07/9/2012 6:53 PM | Updates

Ajay Chopra is seen in this undated handout photo provided from his Facebook page with former federal Justice Minister Martin Cauchon. Chopra, who served as an adviser to Cauchon, is considering running for the leadership of the Manitoba Liberal Party. (HANDOUT / THE CANADIAN PRESS)

A Toronto lobbyist who was born and raised in Winnipeg has his sights set on the provincial Liberal leadership.

Ajay Chopra, a 36-year-old University of Winnipeg grad who left the city in 1999, said he plans to move back home early this fall in a bid to lead the Grits.

"I think there is a leadership vacuum now in Manitoba. And there’s a real thirst for change," said Chopra, who finished second to the NDP’s George Hickes in Point Douglas constituency in the 1999 provincial election.

Chopra, a consultant at the Capital Hill Group in Toronto, is the second person to declare interest in the Liberal leadership in the past two weeks.

Earlier this month, The Canadian Press reported that business consultant Robert Young, 52, who worked in the late 1980s and early 1990s as an executive assistant to two Winnipeg city councillors with Liberal ties, is interested in the party’s leadership.

Jon Gerrard, the MLA for River Heights, has announced that he will step down as Liberal leader. His successor will be chosen in the fall of 2013.

Chopra has worked as an assistant to former federal Liberal justice minister Martin Cauchon.

"I got to oversee some pretty neat legislation, like same-sex marriage and some of the most progressive legislation the Liberals put forward, such as decriminalization of marijuana."

Chopra left government work to become the media adviser to Phil Fontaine when Fontaine was head of the Assembly of First Nations. During that time, the assembly pushed for the Kelowna Accord on aboriginal rights and the government apology for abuse of former students at residential schools.

Chopra also served as the prairie co-ordinator for Bob Rae's 2006 bid for the federal Liberal leadership

Despite the fact that the Liberals managed to win only one seat — and only 7.5 per cent of the popular vote — in last fall’s provincial election, Chopra believes the party is poised for bigger things.

Chopra, who speaks five languages and was awarded the National Indo-Canadian Council Distinguished Youth Award in 1998, said the fact two potential candidates have already emerged in a contest that is more than a year away is a good sign for the provincial Liberals.

He described the NDP government under Greg Selinger as "a little stale and a little yesterday." And the fact that nobody is challenging former MP Brian Pallister for the provincial Conservative leadership "speaks volumes," he said.

— with files from The Canadian Press

History

Updated on Monday, July 9, 2012 at 6:53 PM CDT: Adds files from The Canadian Press

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