S
spmarshall
Guest
I've never been a big fan of Shelia Copps. She has never been a particularly strong politican (with the GST issue being a low point), but has been popular in East Hamilton, and a representative of the left wing of the Liberal Party. But I am disapointed by her treatment by Martin and her loss to "Blowfish" Valeri. So much for party unity. All hail the Paul Martin Party of Canada.
From the CBC (the first to break the story online)
Copps loses Liberal nomination fight
Last Updated Sat, 06 Mar 2004 23:48:35
HAMILTON, ONT. - Canada's Minister of Transport Tony Valeri derailed the campaign hopes of longtime Hamilton MP Sheila Copps Saturday night, winning the right to run as the Liberal party's candidate in a redrawn local riding.
The boundaries of some federal constituencies were recently redrawn, leaving the two Liberal members of Parliament facing squaring off in Hamilton East-Stoney Creek. It became a fiercly contested nomination race.
About 11,000 people were eligible to vote Saturday. Organizers called the turnout "historic." At one point the line of people waiting to cast ballots snaked around the outside of the high school.
Counting was supposed to begin at 7 p.m. EST, but organizers extended the voting hours until around 10 p.m. Results were announced around 11:45 p.m.
Copps, deputy prime minister and heritage minister in Jean Chrétien's government, has been a Hamilton MP for the past 20 years. But she was dumped from cabinet when Paul Martin became Liberal leader last fall.
Heading into the vote, Valeri claimed to have the backing of about 7,000 members. Copps said she had roughly 6,600 members.
During his final pitch for support Saturday, Valeri urged the crowd to get behind "the renewed Paul Martin Liberal government." He acknowledged his rival's contributions under the former prime minister, but said: "It's not about our past, it's about our future."
Copps, on the other hand, talked about the importance of lobbying for "the true values of liberalism," and said she was the best choice to represent immigrants and the working class.
Although she has previously threatened to leave the Liberal party and run as an independent or a New Democrat in the next election, Copps signalled the need for unity during Saturday's speech: "Tony, whatever happens in this fight, we're all believing in the building of our great party, and we'll do it together."
During the past few months, Copps has accused Martin of trying to push her out of politics by not supporting her as the candidate. But the prime minister has said he doesn't want to take sides in Liberal contests involving the redistribution of ridings.
Written by CBC News Online staff
From the CBC (the first to break the story online)
Copps loses Liberal nomination fight
Last Updated Sat, 06 Mar 2004 23:48:35
HAMILTON, ONT. - Canada's Minister of Transport Tony Valeri derailed the campaign hopes of longtime Hamilton MP Sheila Copps Saturday night, winning the right to run as the Liberal party's candidate in a redrawn local riding.
The boundaries of some federal constituencies were recently redrawn, leaving the two Liberal members of Parliament facing squaring off in Hamilton East-Stoney Creek. It became a fiercly contested nomination race.
About 11,000 people were eligible to vote Saturday. Organizers called the turnout "historic." At one point the line of people waiting to cast ballots snaked around the outside of the high school.
Counting was supposed to begin at 7 p.m. EST, but organizers extended the voting hours until around 10 p.m. Results were announced around 11:45 p.m.
Copps, deputy prime minister and heritage minister in Jean Chrétien's government, has been a Hamilton MP for the past 20 years. But she was dumped from cabinet when Paul Martin became Liberal leader last fall.
Heading into the vote, Valeri claimed to have the backing of about 7,000 members. Copps said she had roughly 6,600 members.
During his final pitch for support Saturday, Valeri urged the crowd to get behind "the renewed Paul Martin Liberal government." He acknowledged his rival's contributions under the former prime minister, but said: "It's not about our past, it's about our future."
Copps, on the other hand, talked about the importance of lobbying for "the true values of liberalism," and said she was the best choice to represent immigrants and the working class.
Although she has previously threatened to leave the Liberal party and run as an independent or a New Democrat in the next election, Copps signalled the need for unity during Saturday's speech: "Tony, whatever happens in this fight, we're all believing in the building of our great party, and we'll do it together."
During the past few months, Copps has accused Martin of trying to push her out of politics by not supporting her as the candidate. But the prime minister has said he doesn't want to take sides in Liberal contests involving the redistribution of ridings.
Written by CBC News Online staff