10°c Partly cloudy
8°c Light rain
Winnipeg Free Press - PRINT EDITION
Green party leader backs Wasylycia-Leis
BORIS.MINKEVICH@FREEPRESS.MB.CA Enlarge Image
Elizabeth May: civic election 'contentious'
Another federal politician has weighed in on Winnipeg's contentious civic election, with Green party Leader Elizabeth May throwing her support behind Judy Wasylycia-Leis.
May was in Winnipeg on Sunday to speak at a local green living expo about how the city lags behind some Canadian municipalities in establishing a modern rapid transit system and reducing pesticide use. While she initially said it would be "inappropriate" for a federal party leader to endorse a mayoral candidate, she announced her support of former NDP MP and MLA Wasylycia-Leis' bid for mayor just hours later at the University of Winnipeg.
Related Items
Her endorsement comes just two days after Tory cabinet minister Steven Fletcher announced his support for Mayor Sam Katz's re-election campaign.
On Friday, the junior cabinet minister raised eyebrows when he issued a statement saying Katz has been a key supporter of justice reforms "the federal NDP have opposed, obstructed and watered down at every opportunity."
May said she felt compelled to publicize her support for Wasylycia-Leis since other federal politicians have come forward to support candidates and the race is so hotly contested.
"I'm pretty concerned about the issues of poverty and social justice in Winnipeg and I think (Judy) will do very well at that," May said. "(The election) is contentious."
Political expert Paul Thomas said the endorsement is not a huge deal or "turning point" in the race since it cements Wasylycia-Leis as the greener candidate.
"This will just reinforce their predisposition to think 'if we really want to put environmental issues at the top of the city agenda then we've got to go for Judy,' " said Thomas, a retired University of Manitoba political science professor.
Thomas said Katz has made progress on initiatives such as bike lanes, but does not have a reputation for taking a stance against urban sprawl the way former mayor Glen Murray did.
Wasylycia-Leis and Katz could not be reached for comment Sunday night. May spoke at the Winnipeg Green Lifestyle and Organic Living Show at the convention centre on Sunday about how the city could become more sustainable. She told a crowd of about 150 people Winnipeg uses more pesticides to kill mosquitos than any other city in North America, and that the federal government needs to develop a national transportation strategy to help cities such as Winnipeg build more efficient bus and light rail transit systems.
She said Winnipeg citizens who want a greener environment are going to "know which way to vote" and that people pick up on symbolic cues from local leaders. She called the rapid transit debate a "hot issue" and urged Winnipeggers to get involved and attend every candidates' meeting to find out how they plan to make the city a better place to live.
Late last year, Katz kiboshed millions in federal-provincial cash earmarked for the second phase of bus rapid transit to the University of Manitoba. Katz now wants to redirect $130 million earmarked for Phase 2 to roads, and is lobbying Ottawa and the province for millions of dollars in new money to transform the BRT system into a rail-based streetcar system.
Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition September 13, 2010 A5
More Local
- Back to Top
- Return to Local
Poll
Proudly brought to you by:
Most Popular Local
- Thieves strip $20K worth of copper wiring from gravel pit
- Cyclist killed on Higgins Avenue was passionate mentor, volunteer
- Pukatawagan RCMP looking for two dangerous suspects
- WWE's Jericho breaks code in Brazil
- Ex-Bomber sued for $4.8M
- Gang members get lengthy sentences for jailhouse beating
- Ex-Hydro boss slams closure
- Every year 4,000 children reported missing in Manitoba
- Man hit before fatal blow, friend testifies
- Union Station to receive $6.5-million makeover
- Bear pulls camper from outhouse, before being shot
- Cyclist killed in collision on Higgins identified
- Cyclist killed on Higgins Avenue was passionate mentor, volunteer
- A SHED is not enough
- Football star's fatal punch probed at manslaughter trail
- Cyclist killed in Higgins Avenue crash
- Sex-scandal inquiry to be heard in city
- Winnipeg man recovering after campground bear attack
- Man hit before fatal blow, friend testifies
- Female cyclist dies on Higgins after falling into semi's path
- Boozy night out, lying cost city man big bucks
- Neighbours shaken by two deaths
- Teen hit by vehicle on Pembina
- Rapid buses rattling homes
- Severe storm warning issued
- Has Gimli gone to pot?
- Bear pulls camper from outhouse, before being shot
- Cyclist killed in collision on Higgins identified
- Triple whammy hits homes
- Cyclist killed on Higgins Avenue was passionate mentor, volunteer
- Pukatawagan RCMP looking for two dangerous suspects
- Ex-Hydro boss slams closure
- Cyclist killed on Higgins Avenue was passionate mentor, volunteer
- At 100, she's still winning friends and winning at bridge
- His life made our world a better place
- Band, council defy feds on aid
- Hydro headquarters named Canada's greenest office tower
- Ex-Bomber sued for $4.8M
- Diplomat saved thousands from Hitler
- Cummings steps out of reunion for sick mom
- Bear pulls camper from outhouse, before being shot
- Pooch paradise, where champion beagles run free
- His life made our world a better place
- Winnipeg man recovering after campground bear attack
- He was enjoying view, bear came out of blue
- Scientists lash Harper government for pulling plug on Experimental Lakes Area
- Diplomat saved thousands from Hitler
- Weeding out the chemicals
- U of W rejects copyright deal as 'money grab'
- Chemicals not par for the course
- Bear pulls camper from outhouse, before being shot
- Has Gimli gone to pot?
- Pooch paradise, where champion beagles run free
- His life made our world a better place
- Scientists lash Harper government for pulling plug on Experimental Lakes Area
- RRC's old gem a beauty
- Attack on hockey ref nets jail time
- Our Village is as good as it gets
- Judge faces second complaint
- Winnipeg man recovering after campground bear attack
Ads by Google
You can comment on most stories on winnipegfreepress.com. You can also agree or disagree with other comments. All you need to do is register and/or login and you can join the conversation and give your feedback.
The Winnipeg Free Press does not necessarily endorse any of the views posted. By submitting your comment, you agree to our Terms and Conditions. These terms were revised effective April 16, 2010; View the changes. New to commenting? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions.