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Winnipeg Free Press - ONLINE EDITION

Saturday Special: Top Tories jockey for plum posts

By: Bruce Owen

29/05/2009 4:06 PM | Comments: 4

Manitoba’s Conservatives are jockeying for two big patronage plums that drop off the tree only every few years.

The first and probably most sought-after is Senator Mira Spivak’s seat in Ottawa. Spivak, the widow of former Manitoba Tory Leader Sidney Spivak, turns 75 on July 12 and reaches the mandatory retirement age.

The second job opening also happens in July when Lt. Gov. John Harvard reaches the five-year minimum he must serve as the Queen’s representative in Manitoba. Harvard will most likely serve out the summer before he is replaced.

The person who decides who fills both jobs is Prime Minister Stephen Harper.

And there is no shortage of possible candidates.

For the full story, see today's newspaper or our fpNews electronic edition.

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4 Comments

Posted by: HI-D-Ho

May 30, 2009 at 4:28 PM

The Tories, who want to limit all new senators to a term of eight years, would like to pack the senate with the party faithful before the new limit of eight years comes into effect, thereby giving them more power in the senate. [edited]