A former high-profile B.C. NDP politician and a Green party law professor are the latest in a growing number of would-be candidates to jump into the race to replace Victoria MP Denise Savoie, who resigned last month.
The prime minister has yet to set a byelection date.
Elizabeth Cull, Victoria business owner and former B.C. deputy premier, finance and health minister, announced today she is running for the NDP nomination.
Canadians want innovative, responsible leadership from their national government and that means MPs who will be leaders, working together to create sustainable communities with strong economies that support families and the services they need, Cull said in a news release. I can be that MP.
And at noon today at the University of Victoria, law professor Donald Galloway an advocate of refugee and immigrant rights in Canada will announce hes running to secure the seat for the Green Party of Canada.
Doubling the Green partys caucus will be a much bigger change in the political dynamics of Canada than just sending another Liberal, NDP or Conservative to Parliament, said Green party leader Elizabeth May, in a statement. She has worked with Galloway for over 30 years.
UVic climate scientist Andrew Weaver said as Victorias MP, Galloway would represent a surge in the central voices challenging the undemocratic assault on science and sustainability in Canada.
Last week, Victoria lawyer and environmental law expert Murray Rankin announced his bid for the NDP nomination.
Rankin is the co-chairman of the Environmental Law Centre, a student-run legal clinic at UVic. His opposition to Enbridge's Northern Gateway Pipeline proposal is a driving factor in why he is running.
Others considering a run include former Victoria school board trustee Charley Beresford.
Despite news reports and speculation, Victoria NDP MLA and former NDP leader Carole James said today she has committed to run provincially and will not run for Savoies seat. Also, Victoria Mayor Dean Fortin and city Coun. Marianne Alto will not run.
The Victoria federal riding has been held by the NDP for the past five years and by the Liberals for 13 years before that.
People running to be candidates in the Victoria byelection are asked to contact the Times Colonist by emailing both [email protected] and [email protected]
The Green nomination vote is set for Sept. 29.
New Democrats will select their candidate on Oct. 14 at UVics Michelle Pujol Room starting at 1 p.m. Nomination candidates must be NDP members in good standing and living in the riding for at least 90 days prior to the nomination meeting. Official nomination documents must be submitted by Sept. 28 at 5 p.m. Nominations from the floor are not permitted.
More to come
