tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-62264552011-04-21T22:13:21.105-04:00A guide to all those seeking, rumoured to be seeking or having won nominations in advance of Canada's next federal election - whenever it is... We still publish rumours! Send them to Nomination Watch at nominationwatch@hotmail.comJanienoreply@blogger.comBlogger921100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6226455.post-1132767066200014442005-11-23T12:08:00.000-05:002005-11-23T13:35:08.683-05:00

NomWatch overload. Bit of a WestWorld moment over here. As a result, you get all the links, with a slight snark reduction.Adscam whistleblower (which sounds a little like a circa 1998 indie band) Allan Cutler will seek the Conservative nomination in Ottawa South, presently held by celebrity sibling David McGuinty.It's also a good day to be a former Progressive Conservative turned Liberal. John

Janienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6226455.post-1132677881980300742005-11-22T11:26:00.000-05:002005-11-22T11:47:10.120-05:00

Damn this Real Life. Here we are, trying to keep a pot on the stove, blog-wise, but the doorbell keeps ringing. In any event, we provide all this, for you, from us.Quimby is officially in. Almost.Efford is out. Finally.Perhaps in our haste, we failed to pay close attention to the selection of Christian Provenzano, nephew of former Sault Ste. Marie MP Carmen Provenzano as the Liberal candidate in

Janienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6226455.post-1132507885123646192005-11-20T12:28:00.000-05:002005-11-20T12:31:25.133-05:00

Pat Binns staying home because he wants to. Bernard Lord staying home because he has to.

Janienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6226455.post-1132411794127575162005-11-19T09:43:00.000-05:002005-11-19T09:49:54.140-05:00

Bradshaw/Murphy, Efford/Dicks, Ignatieff, Rae, Bennett/Kent/Summerville, Baird, Priddy, Churley, Leonard/Lapierre, Pettigrew/Barbeau.All here, bundled for your convenience.Oh, and behind the Wall of Globe is the news that Stephen Harper is chasing a Russ Courtnall candidacy in B.C. (a story previously rubbished here) and a Kirk Muller candidacy in Kingston and the Islands. Take that, Dryden!

Janienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6226455.post-1132357277618654182005-11-18T18:30:00.000-05:002005-11-18T18:54:25.456-05:00

Either today was a) a very good time to not run for reelection as a Liberal in Atlantic Canada or b) a very good day to seek a nomination as a Liberal in Atlantic Canada.Because of this - and also this.So who gains?Well, in Moncton all the buzz is about former Moncton Mayor and Diamond Joe Quimby clone Brian Murphy.In Avalon? You tell us.nominationwatch@hotmail.com. LATE UPDATE - Now this is

Janienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6226455.post-1132232846518365692005-11-17T08:01:00.000-05:002005-11-17T08:07:26.530-05:00

Step forward, firefighter and foodbanker Glen Pearson! In the game of Survivor that is the London-Fanshawe Liberal nomination fight, you are the last man standing, and you advance to a gruelling winter election campaign. Following the retirement of MP Pat O'Brien and the withdrawal from the race of lawyerman Steve Ross, the prize would seem to be Pearson's, at least according to the London

Janienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6226455.post-1132145508792472792005-11-16T07:34:00.000-05:002005-11-16T08:40:20.640-05:00

The Edmonton Sun flags a tricky mathematical problem - one candidate for one nomination would seem to equal... zero? It would seem that Nicole Martel is - quite reasonably, we think, behaving like a candidate for the Liberal nomination in Edmonton East, presently represented by Conservative Peter Goldring. Right now she's the only candidate for the (unscheduled, naturally) nomination.Problematic

Janienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6226455.post-1132144923646543212005-11-16T07:30:00.000-05:002005-11-16T07:42:03.670-05:00

Ask for Windsor gossip, get Windsor gossip. It's a truism we've all experienced. Well here's the story, such as it is. Bruck Easton is set to be the Liberal candidate in Windsor-Tecumseh, the successor to the Windsor-St. Clair riding he fought as the PC candidate in 1997 and 2000. The riding is held by NDP MP Joe Comartin. Should something disrupt the historical inevitability of a Easton

Janienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6226455.post-1132090870655619742005-11-15T16:36:00.000-05:002005-11-15T16:41:10.666-05:00

Why do we keep hearing that Bob Rae will take the plunge and run for the Libs?Why don't we hear more about where he'll run?Why don't you tell us more - nominationwatch@blogspot.com...

Janienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6226455.post-1132068640868275112005-11-15T08:01:00.000-05:002005-11-15T10:41:37.420-05:00

Sometimes, the absence of news is, in and of itself, news. At least that's our view of the failure of Windsor-area Liberals to nominate a candidate in any of the region's federal ridings to date. Usually Detroit South (or Detroit-Sud, as it's known up and down Ouellette and Gratiot) is a hotbed of Grit intrigue, as half the City Council battles with half the Essex Law Association for the chance

Janienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6226455.post-1131898332910668562005-11-13T11:03:00.000-05:002005-11-13T17:16:25.803-05:00

We think of ourselves at Nomination Watch as a fairly stable, well adjusted bunch. But what really causes us to press our palms to our temples, break out the irish whiskey, oil up the shotgun and think some tremendously dodgy thoughts is... getting scooped by our bloggy type "friends". And yes, yes, we know. We've only been back for a day or two and we need to get our sea legs, but really. It

Janienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6226455.post-1131828434476811492005-11-12T15:32:00.000-05:002005-11-13T17:17:48.456-05:00

The Richmond Review gives a few kind words to Richmond NDP candidate Neil Smith, the poor bastard likely to be minced into a fine paste by the voters of Richmond, B.C. Despite the NDP's poor showing in 2004 (15%), three candidates vied for the nomination, with Smith defeating 2004 nominee Dale Jackaman and Balwinder Kullar in a meeting attended by "a couple dozen" NDP members at the West Richmond

Janienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6226455.post-1131827446644142672005-11-12T15:22:00.000-05:002005-11-12T15:30:46.656-05:00

Usually, we like to bring you gossip (or even - shock, horror news!) about who's running where. Jeffrey Simpson (behind the Wall of Globe) is all about the who, but not so much about the where. The "who" is Michael Ignatieff. The "where" is anywhere that will have him - or at least anywhere where people won't care that he supported the merry little hijinks presently underway in Iraq.GTA Liberal

Janienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6226455.post-1131662681202426962005-11-10T17:40:00.000-05:002005-11-10T17:57:05.516-05:00

Cornwall Liberals will gather on Sunday to select a candidate in the federal riding of Stormont, Dundas and South Glengarry. At least so says the Brockville Recorder & Times. (We only read it for the racing tips...)South Stormont Councillor Bill Upper and North Stormont businessman and organic farmer Tom Manley are the two dogs in this hunt.PS - For those of you who thrive on this level of detail

Janienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6226455.post-1131648601246384672005-11-10T13:49:00.000-05:002005-11-10T14:11:06.863-05:00

Well, since we've been gone things have gone completely mental in Churchill. First, MP Bev Desjarlais was defeated for the NDP nomination by Niki Ashton, whose many positive qualities are complemented nicely by her lineage - she is the daughter of local NDP supremo and Manitoba cabinet minister Steve Ashton. (Though the Ottawa media was quick to ascribe Desjarlais' defeat to her vote against same

Janienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6226455.post-1131647895184112042005-11-10T12:17:00.000-05:002005-11-10T13:38:15.243-05:00

Well, like it or not, we're back. What with this whole election thingy rearing its ugly head, (and I mean Reg Alcock ugly. Or Art Hanger ugly, depending on which side of the street you work.) we thought it best to resurrect ourselves.But to what end, dear readers? What do you want of us? Well, apart from random cattiness, we mean. We've still a trickle of nominations to provide to you - but once

Janienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6226455.post-1117637033393488602005-06-01T07:48:00.000-04:002005-06-01T10:43:53.440-04:00

Well, in meta-nomination news Jeffrey Simpson goes on an extended muse on the possibility of - several years down the road, mind you - Bernard Lord and Frank McKenna both taking their act to the federal stage. (Whether Canadians are ready for the low wage, race to the bottom economy that either would bring is a different question altogether...)The interesting (though highly speculative)question

Janienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6226455.post-1117479888096081862005-05-30T14:24:00.000-04:002005-05-30T16:36:33.693-04:00

Ok, so here we all are then. And what have we learned?Well, a couple of things. The front page of the G&M seems to have caught up with the story that the Conservative Party does seem to be nominating a hell of a lot of (so to speak) social conservatives. That would mean that the approximate time of a story leaving Halifax and arriving in Ottawa is approximately one week. The follow-up stories

Janienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6226455.post-1117477270491729372005-05-30T14:19:00.000-04:002005-05-30T14:21:10.496-04:00

We're not dead, we're not trapped under something heavy, and we haven't despaired at the thought of a full year's nomination watching.We just got completely buried in a great deal of real life.Consider normal service resumed.

Janienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6226455.post-1116616489272506402005-05-20T12:04:00.000-04:002005-05-22T00:55:53.963-04:00

Despite recent some developments related to election timing, we offer you the only thing we can - an update.Some quality gossip from lower mainland New Democrats. It would seem the race for the NDP nomination in New Westminster-Coquitlam has been joined. We recently brought you the news that 2004 candidate Steve McClurg would stand for the nomination again - but he's not the only one. It seems

Janienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6226455.post-1116605026615535982005-05-20T12:03:00.000-04:002005-05-20T12:03:46.620-04:00

Anyone want to play some cards?

Janienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6226455.post-1116502072792239432005-05-19T06:58:00.000-04:002005-05-19T15:59:42.140-04:00

Centre of the universe, or just the centre of Niagara? In either event, the Welland Tribune gives us the full update on goings on in the federal riding of Welland. The big news is the arrival in the NDP nomination fight of Rob Dobrucki, a former city and regional councillor and present assistant to local MPP Peter Kormos. He'll challenge 2000 and 2004 candidate Joey DiBartolomeo for the

Janienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6226455.post-1116432762448214262005-05-18T11:49:00.000-04:002005-05-19T11:45:50.336-04:00

We've gathered a great deal of news from Newfoundland and Labrador over the past few days and thought it proper to give it to you in one fell swoop. This is that swoop.First, what we know for sure. At this point all of the province's Liberal incumbents (Byrne, Simms and Matthews) are set to run again except for Avalon MP John Efford, who is still making up his mind. As "reported" (repeated?) here

Janienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6226455.post-1116429378987819372005-05-18T08:47:00.000-04:002005-05-18T11:19:23.693-04:00

The Ottawa Sun reports on a potential NDP candidate in Ottawa Centre - step forward Paul Dewar, a teacher and son of former Ottawa mayor Marion Dewar. In other Ottawa (and other filial) news, Michael Gaffney (son of former Nepean MP and councilor Beryl Gaffney) is seeking the Liberal nomination in Nepean-Carleton, according to the Ottawa Business Journal. To finish on Ottawa, CBC reports on some

Janienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6226455.post-1116350002887571552005-05-17T13:10:00.000-04:002005-05-17T13:13:58.446-04:00

We do offer you junkies this nugget from the Globe's piece on the story of the moment:Ms. Stronach represents the Ontario riding of Newmarket-Aurora. Mr. Martin said Tuesday that Martha Hall Findlay agreed to stand down as the Liberal candidate in Newmarket-Aurora.And that's that.

Janienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6226455.post-1116344586031117322005-05-17T11:53:00.000-04:002005-05-17T13:14:18.060-04:00

There's a big, sweeping nomination watch overview CP story by Joan Bryden that's a must-read. What's news in it? Well, Deborah Coyne running for the Libs in an as yet unnamed Ottawa riding counts as news.How the not terribly mighty have fallen. Former Wetaskawin MP Willie Littlechild was defeated in his bid to reenter politics in the Wetaskawin Conservative nomination race by Blaine "I am the guy

Janienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6226455.post-1116244005705886842005-05-16T07:25:00.000-04:002005-05-16T07:46:45.710-04:00

We seem to be getting a flurry of news from political partisans attempting to seek publicity for candidates of... well, of limited electoral horizons.In an attempt to foster decency and an atmosphere of mutual repsect, we will pair such candidates, at least today. For example, we offer you the news that Eric Steedman will represent the NDP in Westmount-Ville Marie, and that Hugh McFayden has won

Janienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6226455.post-1116243789229111362005-05-16T07:05:00.000-04:002005-05-16T07:50:58.933-04:00

An interesting piece on a little talked about issue in English Canada in today's National Post (remember the National Post?) - Bloc nominations. Read the piece, which is about the increased diversity of the Bloc team. The bare facts are that Liza Gomez is the Bloc's candidate in Honore-Mercier, Maria Mourani will run against Liberal MP Eleni Bakopanos in Ahuntsic and Vivian Barbot will stand

Janienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6226455.post-1116016763964569262005-05-13T16:33:00.000-04:002005-05-13T16:41:33.500-04:00

Goldsteingate refuses to die:MEDIA ADVISORY TRINITY-SPADINA CONSERVATIVES SELECT CANDIDATE SUNDAY, MAY 15THWHO: Trinity-Spadina Conservative Electoral District AssociationWHAT: Nomination MeetingWHERE: Room 308, Metro Hall, 55 John Street (just south of King Street)WHEN: Sunday, May 15, 20052:10 PM - Candidate Speeches (followed by voting)3:30 PM - Speaker (TBD)4:15 PM - Announcement of Results4:

Janienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6226455.post-1116016385823988182005-05-13T15:32:00.000-04:002005-05-13T16:45:44.220-04:00

Nomination news that could only be described as "fast and furious"The puzzlingly password protected Hamilton Spectator reports on seismic events in Hamilton. Longtime Hamilton Mountain Liberal backbencher Beth Phinney (all the way at the back, if you know what we mean) has called it quits, and will not run again. The Spec speculates that Lib replacements for Phinney could include city councilor

Janienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6226455.post-1115917992934708862005-05-12T00:50:00.000-04:002005-05-12T13:17:29.400-04:00

News from all over...CBC runs a feature on the expected close race in the Saint John Conservative nomination fight between Lisa Keenan, the former president of the New Brunswick Conservative party, lawyer John Wallace, and Jim Parrott, a cardiac surgeon.An action packed nomination update of nomination doings in most of Southwestern Ontario is found in today's London Free Press. Of news to

Janienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6226455.post-1115841564734378652005-05-11T15:57:00.000-04:002005-05-11T16:10:28.893-04:00

Ashely was only playing, it would seem.

Janienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6226455.post-1115840252089914182005-05-11T15:29:00.000-04:002005-05-11T16:17:00.040-04:00

712 year old Heward Grafftey is throwing his hat into the ring, and has announced his candidacy for the Progressive Canadian (yes, he means P.C.) nomination in Brome-Missisquoi. In the press release, Grafftey thunders "Macdonald and Cartier would be the first to ask the citizens of Brome-Missisquoi to support my candidacy as a committed Progressive Conservative."We expect follow-up P.C. press

Janienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6226455.post-1115826360122836742005-05-11T11:42:00.000-04:002005-05-11T11:46:00.126-04:00

Well, Stephen Harper, perhaps...Anyone care to share with the rest of the country the reason(s) why Tobique-Mactaquac Conservative members won't be allowed to vote for or against Mr. Richardson?

Janienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6226455.post-1115823237377778202005-05-11T08:03:00.000-04:002005-05-11T11:22:30.700-04:00

What is it with Conservatives and that demon fiddle? First we find out who Howie McDonald is, and now this?For those of you who are linkishly challenged, it would seem that Ashley McIssac is thinking about running for parliament.In Toronto Centre-Rosedale.For the Conservatives.Please submit punchlines to this joke, and all other information to nominationwatch@hotmail.com...

Janienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6226455.post-1115825688133635322005-05-11T08:02:00.000-04:002005-05-11T11:34:48.136-04:00

... former Saskatoon Mayor Jim Maddin is going to run for the NDP in Saskatoon-Wanuskewin?

Janienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6226455.post-1115825504830165782005-05-11T08:01:00.000-04:002005-05-11T11:36:33.046-04:00

Le Droit is a deep pail of information on the seething mess that has been left by the retirement of Don Boudria in Glengarry-Prescott-Russell.First, the Libs - GPR MPP Jean-Marc Lalonde has confirmed that he is considering running for the Liberal nomination. Mathieu Dupont, a 27-yr-old assistant to Boudria, is the only declared candidate today, but Yves Drouin, former Mayor of Hawkesbury and J.-M

Janienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6226455.post-1115824902060940012005-05-11T07:59:00.000-04:002005-05-11T13:31:16.796-04:00

Dear God, can't a hardworking team of blogging amateurs have a day to ourselves?We were back from the spa, midway through our second lunch, and about to send down to the kitchen for better conversation, some humility and another bottle of Pommery when if occurred to us that some nomination news might have built up in our absence. Here 'tis...City Councilor Mike Wallace (not the leathery newsman)

Janienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6226455.post-1115822387894612322005-05-11T07:34:00.000-04:002005-05-11T10:39:47.900-04:00

The news of the day (well, yesterday) has to be this. Marilyn Churley, who has represented Toronto-Danforth and its predecessors in the Ontario Legislature will run "next door" in Beaches-East York against the ethically challenged Maria Minna.

Janienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6226455.post-1115651644752947832005-05-09T09:10:00.000-04:002005-05-09T11:16:23.156-04:00

We hate to come across all tabloid, but big news such as this deserves grubby, Sun-like enthusiasm, at least among the nomination-obsessed.One would presume that interest in the Glengarry-Prescott-Russell Liberal nomination will attract interest amongst... well in every living, breathing Liberal within two hour's drive of Hawkesbury.

Janienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6226455.post-1115651421068644042005-05-09T08:20:00.000-04:002005-05-09T11:10:21.133-04:00

Small news from all over.John Capobianco beat back the wizened forces of the past - Morely Kells is gone, at least until the next Conservative Etobicoke-Lakeshoreish nomination comes vacant.Dave Van Kesteren was acclaimed as the Conservative candidate for Chatham-Kent-Essex. Van Kesteren lost by only 405 votes to retiring Liberal Jerry Pickard in 2004.We feel like such fools for bringing this to

Janienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6226455.post-1115564964739770282005-05-08T10:57:00.000-04:002005-05-08T11:57:41.596-04:00

And what do we hear about the lovely and charming Claudette Bradshaw not allowing the residents of Moncton-Riverview-Dieppe the chance to vote for her next time? Well, we hear lots. But we'd be happy to hear more from you, dear readers...We do hear that if the Liberal nomination was uncluttered by the presence of Bradshaw, former Moncton Mayor (and Diamond Joe Quimby knock-off) Brian Murphy would

Janienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6226455.post-1115564264607709292005-05-08T10:48:00.000-04:002005-05-08T13:56:07.503-04:00

The Expositor of Brantford provides us with a summary of goings-on in the federal riding of Brant. Lynn Bowering, a health care consultant, will reoffer as the NDP candidate, hoping to knock off rookie Liberal MP Lloyd St. Amand.According to The Expositor, city councillor Greg Martin, the Tory candidate last year, is locked in an intense struggle for the nomination this time with businessman Phil

Janienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6226455.post-1115489240648024182005-05-07T14:00:00.000-04:002005-05-07T14:07:20.680-04:00

"Some rumours are so good they lose nothing by being proved false."Well, we couldn't have said it better.

Janienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6226455.post-1115488813543239792005-05-07T13:45:00.000-04:002005-05-08T10:48:08.476-04:00

Our spies in Edmonton have reported.Apparantly Laurie Hawn has competition for the Conservative nomination in Edmonton Centre. Step forward Dr. Paul Yewchuk. Who he, I hear you ask? Dr. Yewchuk is the famous former Tory MP for Athabasca, 1968-1980. Those of you with a long memory will recall the mischief Dr. Yewchuk got up to during the last minority parliament...In Edmonton Beaumont-Mill Woods,

Janienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6226455.post-1115395602229155352005-05-06T23:49:00.000-04:002005-05-06T12:07:12.060-04:00

We're no longer batting 1.000, rumour-wise.Thanks for the ink, Lorrie.And for not suing...

Janienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6226455.post-1115395462966312012005-05-06T11:45:00.000-04:002005-05-06T13:53:54.576-04:00

Thin pickings from non-Ontario today. (And you, the readers can remedy this situation with one little note sent to nominationwatch@hotmail.com. Operators aren't standing by, but they will get to it sooner or later...)The news is this: apparantly, former Hatfield minister Yvon Poitras is not running for the Conservatives in Madawaska-Restigouche, after all. Confusingly, Jean-Pierre Ouellette,

Janienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6226455.post-1115395176902777362005-05-06T11:38:00.000-04:002005-05-06T15:26:31.486-04:00

Apologies to all those of you thanklessly hitting "refresh" in the hopes of some fresh nomination news, nestled lovingly amongst the baseless rumours and outright lies. Real life intruded, as is its wont. On to the "news"...John Baird won the Conservative nomination in Ottawa West-Nepean last night. Now attention shifts to the Liberals. Did one of our spies mention that longtime Lib MP Marlene

Janienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6226455.post-1115231788286532952005-05-04T14:32:00.000-04:002005-05-04T14:36:28.290-04:00

You'll have all heard that Ed Broadbent has announced, due to his wife's illness, that he's not running again.But how many of you have heard that Tony Martin is?

Janienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6226455.post-1115207016849936592005-05-04T07:22:00.000-04:002005-05-04T11:07:39.833-04:00

A big bulletin has come in from New Brunswick, Canada's gateway to Maine. Although woefully short of information on the mighty NBNDP, it does fill in a lot of blanks.First of all, it would seem that Bernie Valcourt is not going to offer his services to the nation and to the people of Madawaska once more. To date, the nation has no comment, and the people of Madawaska's remarks have been deemed

Janienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6226455.post-1115159964570746952005-05-03T18:28:00.000-04:002005-05-03T18:39:24.570-04:00

Tasty little article in this morning's (password protected - grrr) Ottawa Citizen. To save you having to pay for the damn thing, (heaven forfend) I will give you a little precis:John Baird...no coronation...tough nomination battle on Thursday.... stiffest challenge from retired teacher Ed Mahfouz..."It's a horse race. I am a man of the grassroots and the grassroots will speak on Thursday," Mr.

Janienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6226455.post-1115123608062783102005-05-03T08:33:00.000-04:002005-05-03T08:35:35.370-04:00

News from our Toronto spies...No surprises on the NDP's candidate in Toronto-Danforth - that would be Jack! Layton. But in the other target ridings for the party? Well, in a number of races, the 2004 candidate seems poised to return, such as Peggy Nash in Parkdale-High Park, Rui Pires in Davenport. And in Trinity-Spadina nothing has been said officially, but all expectations are for Olivia Chow

Janienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6226455.post-1115045374785235972005-05-02T10:45:00.000-04:002005-05-02T10:49:34.786-04:00

More word on David Anderson's semi-surprise retirement, and the name of a possible Lib successor in the Globe and Mail.Step forward, Victoria Mayor Alan Lowe...

Janienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6226455.post-1115045064485468302005-05-02T10:17:00.000-04:002005-05-02T10:45:18.850-04:00

...all it takes is Joe Dion.Dion, the 2004 Grit candidate in Westlock-St. Paul against retiring Conservative MP Dave Chatters got beaten senseless by Chatters, and he seems to have learned something from the experience.He seems to have learned that if he wants to represent Westlock-St. Paul in the House of Commons, he ought to try running for the Conservative nomination. Which he is now doing. At

Janienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6226455.post-1115008541227632872005-05-02T00:10:00.000-04:002005-05-02T00:41:06.136-04:00

Bags of news in this Hill Times piece, old and new. The highlights? Rose-Marie Ur (Lib - Middlesex-Kent-Lambton) isn't sure she's running again, and gets a few good swings into Dalton McGuinty while she muses. Bev Shipley, the Conservative candidate she faced last time is running again, it would seem.The Hill Times also pushes the term "star candidate" to its limits in reporting that world-famous

Janienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6226455.post-1115007720940382962005-05-02T00:01:00.000-04:002005-05-02T00:22:00.940-04:00

Apparantly someone at the G&M was watching the tube tonight...Those intrepid newshounds at Global seemingly got pipped to the story about their old colleague Peter Kent, soon to be the Conservative nominee in St. Paul's.(And while we are thinking about Global, what have we heard about them losing one of their best and brightest lights only weeks before he is to marry?)

Janienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6226455.post-1115007349477756462005-05-01T23:39:00.000-04:002005-05-02T00:43:47.010-04:00

You are an insistent bunch. Here we are, having spent less than a week serving the cruel mistress called blogging, and you won't let us have a moment's peace. A day or two spent away from the QWERTY and you're beside yourselves.But you didn't come here to hear us wag our fingers at you, you came here for a healthy mixture of established facts and baseless rumours. Which is exactly what we have

Janienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6226455.post-1114804499172868862005-04-29T15:45:00.000-04:002005-04-29T15:56:55.740-04:00

Our first report from Quebec is in...A crucial lapse seems to have played former Societie Saint-Jean-Baptiste President Guy Bouthillier for a bit of a fool. According to La Presse, Bouthillier was interested in being the Bloc candidate in Outremont against incumbent Liberal (and the recently rather quiet) Jean Lapierre.Unfortunately, Bouthillier hadn't renewed his Bloc membership since 1998 and

Janienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6226455.post-1114785692574721212005-04-29T10:38:00.000-04:002005-04-29T10:41:32.573-04:00

Parent and Dooks are both out, in Kings-Hants and Sackville-Eastern Shore, respectively. So says CBC News. Consider previous musings inoperative.

Janienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6226455.post-1114776989953175772005-04-29T08:03:00.000-04:002005-04-29T10:38:04.800-04:00

The quick and dirty on Hamilton Mountain, courtesy of (where else?) the Hamilton Mountain News:For the Libs, its still(!) incumbent Beth Phinney.For the Conservatives, it is not City Councillor Tom Jackson, who ran last time, as he wants to spend more time with his municipal ward. It is also not former Hamilton Police Services Chief Ken Robertson, who was unwilling to suffer the indignity of a

Janienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6226455.post-1114740089367787572005-04-28T21:40:00.000-04:002005-04-28T22:44:57.273-04:00

So who are the people who want to return former four-term Vancounver NPA city councillor Lynne Kennedy to public office, this time as the Conservative candidate against the distinctive (we're trying to be nice) Hedy Fry in Vancouver Centre?And wasn't Ms. Kennedy last seen challenging Hedy for the Liberal nomination last year?Just asking.

Janienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6226455.post-1114739775552940672005-04-28T21:33:00.000-04:002005-04-28T21:56:15.553-04:00

According to the Winnipeg Free Press, Ken Cooper, 2004 St. Boniface Conservative Candidate is running again in St. Boniface against incumbent Liberal Raymond Simard.And old rivals seem likely to dance that dance again in Dauphin-Swan River, where Conservative incumbent Inky Mark seems likely face Liberal Don Dewar come election day.

Janienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6226455.post-1114739118080287272005-04-28T21:30:00.000-04:002005-04-28T22:52:24.433-04:00

I'm not sure if it's because they feel on top of the world, or at least on top of the internet, but there are a hell of a lot of Ontario Conservatives with loose tongues, and they all seem to be emailing us. Well, the minority that aren't actually seeking nominations, I mean. Here is the cream of their crop:Not only is Tony Clement allegedly seeking the Parry Sound-Muskoka nomination, he also

Janienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6226455.post-1114738239477916472005-04-28T21:29:00.000-04:002005-04-28T21:30:39.476-04:00

'Nuff said.

Janienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6226455.post-1114699641177547762005-04-28T10:36:00.000-04:002005-04-28T11:21:33.236-04:00

Oh, and there is this. Our industrious spies tell us that Queen's Park is buzzing that former Ontario cabinet minister John Snobelen, presumably back from his extended relocation in Oklahoma, intends to seek the Conservative nomination in hotly contested Halton.While you don't have to have been a Mike Harris vintage cabinet minister to seek a Conservative nomination in Ontario these days, it

Janienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6226455.post-1114699343632343822005-04-28T10:28:00.000-04:002005-04-28T10:42:23.633-04:00

Many of these blurbs deserve more time and space, but my "real life" intrudes...A slew of news from the password protected Star-Phoenix, so no links for you good people. Deep breath. Former NDP Saskatchewan cabinet minister and politically promiscuous NDP MP Chris Axworthy intends to seek the Liberal nomination in Saskatoon-Wanuskewin, where he lost to Conservative MP Maurice Vellacott. Farm

Janienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6226455.post-1114698443052461862005-04-28T10:23:00.000-04:002005-04-28T15:37:32.103-04:00

Given the choice between information and misinformation, this website would usually prefer to publish information. Usually. (And don't event get us started on disinformation).Which leads us to this Glengarry-Prescott-Russell note from a friend who writes us regarding the allegedly dueling Lalondes cited before:There is no confusion. Alain Lalonde, who ran in 1999 for Mike Harris against Liberal

Janienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6226455.post-1114688299009163732005-04-28T07:32:00.000-04:002005-04-28T07:38:19.010-04:00

Laurie Hawn running (again) for the Conservative nomination in Edmonton Centre... Irene Mathyssen running for the NDP in London Fanshawe... Dave Chatters (Con - Westlock-St. Paul AB) and Darrel Stinson (Con - North Okanagan BC) not running again due to illness...

Janienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6226455.post-1114687934010674422005-04-28T07:30:00.000-04:002005-04-28T15:38:35.313-04:00

Hmm. We have significant reason to believe that (further to our "Flying Dutchman" post below) Peter Mancini may not have turned his back on Dartmouth-Cole Harbour after all, and may instead be involved in a spirited D-CH nomination battle with former Alexa McDonough Executive Assistant Anne Marie Foote.Anyone closer to the action care to give us an update?

Janienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6226455.post-1114655742980283582005-04-27T22:23:00.000-04:002005-04-27T22:37:17.140-04:00

It would appear (and thank whichever deity appeals to you) that you people have a life, as the pace of news has thankfully slowed.I can report to you that Don Boudria is running again - clearly taking the strategy of waiting the Martin years out. At this rate, he may not have to wait long. Confusingly, the candidates for the Conservative nomination in Glengarry-Prescott-Russell are both Lalondes.

Janienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6226455.post-1114635998158851772005-04-27T17:01:00.000-04:002005-04-27T17:08:45.430-04:00

One particularly diligent and thorough BC Conservative-savvy spy has forwarded these tasty morsels for our enjoyment...Abbotsford: May 14, Abbotsford Banquet Centre. Three candidates are in the running to replace retiring Conservative MP Randy White: local Coun. Ed Fast, family physician Robert Brown and insurance agent Trenton Poy.Burnaby-Douglas: May 1, Confederation Seniors Home. Former

Janienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6226455.post-1114635524915574092005-04-27T16:56:00.000-04:002005-04-27T16:59:22.090-04:00

Newfoundland spies report that the impending retirement due to ill health of Avalon Liberal MP and Minister of the Outdoors John Efford will have a knock-on effect, and provoke Conservative St. John's South-Mount Pearl MP Loyola Hearn into such a fit of homesickness that he will run in Avalon, where he actually lives.

Janienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6226455.post-1114635347210722892005-04-27T16:50:00.000-04:002005-04-27T16:55:47.210-04:00

Damn that password protection. Were it not for such obstacles, I would link you good people to the article in the [Grand Prairie AB] Daily Herald Tribune about the retirement of Peace River Conservative MP Charlie Penson, and the only declared candidate for the nomination, riding association president Chris Warkentin.Ill health will keep retired teacher and 2004 nomination challenger Rick Horner

Janienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6226455.post-1114634795271815592005-04-27T16:43:00.000-04:002005-04-27T22:51:33.720-04:00

News from one of our Eastern Ontario contacts on the Conservative nomination race in Ottawa West-Nepean: Don`t look now but we may have a real race in OWN, where local candidate Sean Casey came within 2% of toppling 16 [year] veteran Marlene Caterall. This is the seat John Baird has jumped into - and is facing four other challengers for the nomination. The riding membership has ballooned from 800

Janienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6226455.post-1114634578572278152005-04-27T15:13:00.000-04:002005-04-27T16:42:58.573-04:00

The first nominated candidate on Prince Edward Island would seem likely to be the NDP's Regena Russell in Egmont, according to CBC News... She's a lawyer who ran for the party in 2004.

Janienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6226455.post-1114629039919798472005-04-27T15:07:00.000-04:002005-04-27T15:11:47.870-04:00

Our spies report that former Sydney-Victoria NDP MP Peter Mancini, having relocated to the Metro Halifax area several years ago is considering seeking the NDP nomination in Halifax West. The riding is presently represented by Minister of Fish Geoff Regan. This would be a third constituency for Mancini, who ran for and lost the NDP nomination in Dartmouth-Cole Harbour last year.

Janienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6226455.post-1114628824575671022005-04-27T15:04:00.000-04:002005-04-27T15:07:04.576-04:00

The Cochrane Times reports that Conservative MP Myron Thompson is set to run again in his Wild Rose (Alberta, naturally) constituency.The Times also reports that Jeff Horvath, Thompson's 2004 NDP opponent is considering returning to the fray, work and grad school permitting.

Janienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6226455.post-1114623718123953402005-04-27T13:30:00.000-04:002005-04-27T13:42:57.680-04:00

First, thank you all for writing in with your news. Unfortunately, politics at the local level is covered appallingly badly (IMHO) and the vast majority of information has to be transmitted by word of mouth, or word of blog, or whatever. In any event, thank you to those who have contributed, and exhortations to those of you who haven't to do so.And while you should keep sending us all your news

Janienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6226455.post-1114623003358701562005-04-27T13:24:00.000-04:002005-04-27T13:30:03.360-04:00

News from the North - it would seem that former NWT Premier Stephen Kakfwi is so irked with longtime Liberal MP Ethel Blondin-Andrew over an appointment that he is thinking (and telling CBC News) that he is thinking about running against her as an independent in Western Arctic.Also in the story - 2004 NDP candidate Dennis Bevington reveals that he intends to stand for the nomination again, but he

Janienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6226455.post-1114599932245889232005-04-27T06:44:00.000-04:002005-04-27T08:39:30.800-04:00

News from papers large and small.The long, slow rightward march of John Nunziata seems to continue, at least according to the Sun Papers. They report that the former Liberal MP, fresh from his rejection by the general public in Toronto's 2003 mayoral election, is considering seeking the Conservative nomination in York South-Weston.In the Toronto Star, Ian Urquhart takes a look on the fallout of

Janienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6226455.post-1114575209601947052005-04-27T00:07:00.000-04:002005-04-27T07:15:41.496-04:00

The whole world wants to tell me that Peter Kent (not the Scud Stud, his brother) is thinking about running against Liberal MP Carolyn Bennett (not Carolyn Parrish) in the salubrious Toronto riding of St. Paul's.And, speaking of Barry Turner, former Tory MP Garth Turner has decided to offer himself to the Canadian people. He, like North Oakville resident Brent Colbert, is seeking the Conservative

Janienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6226455.post-1114574474195867132005-04-26T23:53:00.000-04:002005-04-27T14:34:06.486-04:00

In the realm of rumours that are just waiting to become true, we have the as yet officially undeclared former Ontario Minister of Finance Jim Flaherty in Whitby-Oshawa, a seat with boundaries identical to his seat in the Ontario Legislature.Our readers inform us that lobbyist and 2004 candidate John Capobianco is seeking the Etobicoke Lakeshore nomination against former MPP Morley Kells.And

Janienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6226455.post-1114573556279192802005-04-26T23:39:00.000-04:002005-04-26T23:45:56.280-04:00

More news, from more readers. We have word (reported last week in the popular press, but new to here) that John Baird, present MPP for Nepean-Carleton will be seeking the Conservative nomination in Ottawa West-Nepean. Our spies report that Kenora is heading for a rerun of the 2004 race between incumbent Liberal MP Roger Valley, NDP candidate the Rev. Susan Barclay and Conservative Bill Brown.

Janienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6226455.post-1114572519275011282005-04-26T23:21:00.000-04:002005-04-27T00:04:43.976-04:00

Our faithful readers (you know who you are, the ones who were with us in the beginning - back at 6.30 or so) have already come through. All kinds of updates have been pouring in - mainly from Conservatives, which suggests that Wells' Martin-bashing has skewed him to the right. But I digress. We have word from cottage country that the Tony Clement, Canada's Harold Stassen has resurfaced, and is

Janienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6226455.post-1114557214384300222005-04-26T19:13:00.000-04:002005-04-26T19:13:34.383-04:00

Sponsorship money? I wish...

Janienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6226455.post-1114556153388782862005-04-26T18:53:00.000-04:002005-04-26T18:56:26.220-04:00

As was widely rumoured, the Ottawa Sun reports that Barry Turner, former MP for Ottawa-Carleton (1984-88) will seek the Conservative nod in Ottawa South, taking on the divided loyalties of Liberal MP David McGuinty.

Janienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6226455.post-1114552849995861452005-04-26T17:47:00.000-04:002005-04-26T18:00:49.996-04:00

More Nova Scotia News. The Halifax Herald reports that Bob Mullan, a Kemptville family doctor will be seeking the Conservative nomination in Kings Hants. He was the Conservative candidate in 2004. He may be facing MLA Mark Parent, (should leave his present musing phase, and decide to run) and would face "Liberal" MP Scott Brison in the general.Also, Former Nova Scotia finance minister Greg Kerr

Janienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6226455.post-1114551877663979062005-04-26T17:39:00.000-04:002005-04-26T17:44:37.663-04:00

News from Southwestern Ontario. Jerry Pickard, longtime Chatham Liberal MP, most recently representing a riding called "Chatham-Kent-Essex" is retiring, citing health concerns, per the London Free Press.The Free Press also reports that Al Gretzky, uncle of the Great One has been acclaimed as Conservative candidate in London West, where he will likely face incumbent Liberal Sue Barnes.Also

Janienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6226455.post-1114550346671329412005-04-26T17:14:00.000-04:002005-04-26T17:19:06.673-04:00

Sketchy news from Wetaskawin. The Lacombe Globe reports that five candidates are seeking the Conservative nomination in Wetaskawin, as incumbent Conservative MP Dale Johnston is retiring. As of last Thursday, only Blaine Calkins of Lacombe had filed nomination papers.For those of you who thrive on such details, the Wetaskiwin constituency stretches from Devon in the north to Blackfalds in the

Janienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6226455.post-1114549993110380152005-04-26T16:58:00.000-04:002005-04-26T17:13:13.110-04:00

According to ndp.ca, the NDP have nominated Frances Fry, the Coordinator of the Labrador West Status of Women Council as their candidate in the May 24 Labrador by-election.It had previously been rumoured that MHA Randy Collins would seek the NDP nomination, but he passed. Nominated for the Liberals is Todd Russell, president of the Labrador Metis Nation. Labrador City Mayor Graham Letto has been

Janienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6226455.post-1114549019030359492005-04-26T16:37:00.000-04:002005-04-26T16:57:55.426-04:00

Ok, here goes. According to CBC, PC MLAs Mark Parent and Bill Dooks are considering challenging Sackville-Eastern Shore NDP MP Peter Stoffer.

Janienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6226455.post-1114547534308784762005-04-26T16:30:00.000-04:002005-04-26T16:36:32.270-04:00

Unclear who would ever read this, but here goes. The plan is to use this as a one-stop-shopping place to see who's nominated, who's seeking nomination and who's testing the waters in advance of the forthcoming federal election. News will hopefully be rooted mainly in published reports, but word of mouth gossip will also be accepted...Nomination Watcher

Janienoreply@blogger.com