Martin mania coming our way

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This article was published 03/09/2002 (8591 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

OTTAWA — Manitoba Grits will try to crank up Paul Martin mania this week when the Liberal leadership front-runner arrives in Winnipeg for what could be one of the largest political events the city has seen in years.

Martin — who now has the backing of four of the province’s five Liberal MPs — will be the star attraction at a free barbecue for the public at Assiniboine Park Thursday, which organizers expect will draw “well in excess of 1,000 people.”

Martin’s first appearance in Manitoba since he was dropped as finance minister in June is a key part of the 18-month marathon currently under way to replace Jean Chretien as Liberal leader.

The event was initially organized by Winnipeg South MP Reg Alcock as a way to kick off Martin’s Manitoba efforts to defeat Chretien at the party’s leadership review. But it has changed in both size and style since the prime minister announced he will retire in February 2004.

Instead of being solely an Alcock constituency affair, the event is now co-hosted by fellow Winnipeg Grit MPs John Harvard, Anita Neville and Raymond Simard. As well, a planned sales push of Liberal party memberships will take a back seat to showcasing Martin and letting him talk to and listen to Winnipeggers.

“He has made the point that he wants to spend this time meeting people and broadening the tent, and that is what this is for — for people to get a better sense of what Paul Martin is all about,” said Alcock (Winnipeg South).

“It is an opportunity for people to see Paul Martin in a laid-back and relaxed setting.”

Martin’s Manitoba appearance is expected to be one of the biggest shows of support to greet the Montreal MP since he began criss-crossing the nation.

“I think people are interested in Paul,” said Harvard (Charleswood-St. James Assiniboia). “When someone is seen as a winner or potential winner, people are drawn to those kinds of people. I am not suggesting it will be like Trudeaumania, but it could be that at some point.”

Neville (Winnipeg South Centre) said the strong support Martin has from the province’s MPs can’t be overlooked.

“I think it says to Winnipeggers that the Liberal members of parliament all think very highly of Paul Martin,” she said.

Neville said Martin’s visit is already attracting a lot of interest in her riding.

“I don’t know what they want to hear, but I think it is important he hears from them what their issues and concerns are.”

Since Chretien’s retirement announcement, Martin has been free to campaign without facing accusations of disloyalty to the party leader. And as a Liberal backbencher, he is not bound by the cabinet restrictions that keep other leadership hopefuls like John Manley and Allan Rock from campaigning openly.

While in Winnipeg, Martin will also meet with a child poverty task force and participate in a roundtable on women’s issues. As well, he will attend a private reception for volunteers working on his campaign.

At this stage of the race, Martin appears to be well ahead of his rivals. A recent EKOS poll showed 56 per cent of Canadians think he will be the next Liberal leader. That same poll showed only five per cent think Manley will be the next leader and two per cent think it will be Rock. As well, EKOS found 63 per cent of Canadians think Martin would be a good choice for prime minister.

Martin’s camp said the Winnipeg stop, the first of a major campaign swing launched since Chretien dropped his retirement bombshell two weeks ago, is part of his continued effort to visit Canadians across the country.

“He wants to have an opportunity to listen to what Canadians have to say,” a Martin spokeswoman said.

The Martin camp said it “incredibly humbling” to have the support of four of Manitoba’s MPs.

Alcock stressed the barbecue is not a party fundraiser. He said he will cover the cost of the event, which will feature hot dogs, burgers and ethnic fare.

paul.samyn@freepress.mb.ca