Transcona BIZ boss to run for NDP in byelection

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This article was published 22/05/2024 (828 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Leila Dance, the executive director of the Transcona BIZ and a life-long resident of Transcona, will carry the federal NDP standard in a byelection in the Elmwood-Transcona riding.

Dance won the nomination over Leilani Villarba, the executive director of the Chalmers Neighbourhood Renewal Corp., during a vote on Wednesday night.

“I’m super excited,” she said shortly after the result was announced. “I think I’m still trying to catch up to this. The possibilities are endless.”

A date for the byelection has not been announced yet, but the government has to call one by Sept. 29. It must be held on a Monday 36 to 50 days after the announcement.

Dance, 46, said she will take a leave of absence to immediately begin campaigning full time. Federal NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh will be in the riding on Saturday for the official launch of the party’s campaign office.

Dance has worked for more than two decades in the non-profit sector, including the Children’s Wish Foundation, the ALS Society of Manitoba and the Kidney Foundation.

She has volunteered at numerous community organizations, including the Transcona Food Bank, Plessis Family Resource Centre, Transcona Scout Hall, and the Transcona Legion.

The nomination became necessary after NDP MP Daniel Blaikie decided to resign to become Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew’s adviser on intergovernmental issues.

Blaikie, the son of the late longtime Transcona NDP MP Bill Blaikie, said the new role also allows him to spend more time with his family, including his two young sons.

Blaikie was first elected in 2015, beating Tory incumbent Lawrence Toet, and was re-elected in both 2019 and 2021.

kevin.rollason@freepress.mb.ca