Former Tory MLA aims to fly Grit flag in St. Norbert
Advertisement
Read this article for free:
or
Already have an account? Log in here »
To continue reading, please subscribe:
Monthly Digital Subscription
$1 per week for 24 weeks*
- Enjoy unlimited reading on winnipegfreepress.com
- Read the E-Edition, our digital replica newspaper
- Access News Break, our award-winning app
- Play interactive puzzles
*Billed as $4.00 plus GST every four weeks. After 24 weeks, price increases to the regular rate of $19.00 plus GST every four weeks. Offer available to new and qualified returning subscribers only. Cancel any time.
Monthly Digital Subscription
$4.75/week*
- Enjoy unlimited reading on winnipegfreepress.com
- Read the E-Edition, our digital replica newspaper
- Access News Break, our award-winning app
- Play interactive puzzles
*Billed as $19 plus GST every four weeks. Cancel any time.
To continue reading, please subscribe:
Add Winnipeg Free Press access to your Brandon Sun subscription for only
$1 for the first 4 weeks*
*$1 will be added to your next bill. After your 4 weeks access is complete your rate will increase by $0.00 a X percent off the regular rate.
Read unlimited articles for free today:
or
Already have an account? Log in here »
Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 19/03/2010 (5679 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
WINNIPEG – Marcel Laurendeau, the former Progressive Conservative MLA for St. Nobert, wants back into provincial politics—but this time under the wing of Liberal Leader Jon Gerrard.
Laurendeau, a real estate agent, said Friday he will seek the Liberal nomination for St. Norbert in the next provincial election, which is scheduled for Oct. 4, 2011.
Laurendeau, 57, served 13 years in the legislature as a Progressive Conservative. He lost the seat by 745 votes in the 2003 provincial election to the NDP’s Marilyn Brick.
Laurendeau said he believes Gerrard and the Liberals better represent his principles and a vision for Manitoba, particularly on education.
“I think it’s time we start listening to his views,” Laurendeau said.
He added the Progressive Conservatives under leader Hugh McFadyen have drifted too far right.
Vying for PC nomination are Karen Velthuys, chairwoman of the Pembina Trails School Division and Chuck Davidson, a former journalist and long-time communications director for the Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce. The nomination meeting is April 6 at Southlands Community Church at 85 Keslar Rd.
The Tories have targeted St. Norbert because they think it’s a seat they can win back. Its boundaries have been redrawn under the 2008 Manitoba Electoral Boundaries Commission report. St. Norbert has lost Fort Richmond but gained some territory from Fort Whyte.
Laurendeau is perhaps best known for an incident in June 1992 in which he mysteriously ended up locked in the trunk of his car.
“I put it behind me in 1992,” he said Friday, dismissing the matter.
According to reports at the time, Laurendeau had just gotten into his car after an urban affairs committee meeting at the Legislative Building when an attacker sitting in the rear wrapped a seat belt around his neck.
The suspect then ordered Laurendeau to drive. On Pembina Highway, Laurendeau was ordered out of the car and into the trunk.
Using his cell phone, Laurendeau called 911 from his trunk. He also kicked out the car’s rear speaker, giving him a hole big enough to see some tire banners and a bay door.
Police then started looking for his car at a tire store or service station. A patrolling cruiser soon spotted Laurendeau’s car, and he was freed.