Sushihunter
Active Member
http://www.canada.com/whom+Bell+tolls/4060578/story.html
For whom the Bell tolls?
Courier-Islander January 5, 2011
Well that puts a different twist on things. Or maybe not. Catherine Bell's exit from federal politics brings to an end what has been one of the closest riding battles in the country for the last three elections.
Bell, former MP and NDP federal candidate for the Vancouver Island North riding, has quit to spend more time with her business. And that puts all sorts of spins on what could happen when a federal election is called.
The key, of course, will be who the NDP chooses to run against incumbent MP and Minister for Indian Affairs and Northern Development John Duncan. And the other key will be who runs for the Liberals and if that party can garner more support than it did during the last election on the North Island.
Duncan's ministerial appointment could only be weighed as a good thing for him and the Conservatives locally and it would have been interesting to see how much it might have meant had he and Bell fought it out for the fourth time.
But while Duncan's ministerial good fortunes may mean more votes from some sectors, he could be in trouble because of the actions of a completely different ministry - that of Fisheries and Oceans.
Its handling of the light house de-staffing was abysmal, its almost scared approach to aquaculture is itself scary and its position on fisheries allocation - especially halibut - affect a whole realm of voters who could bring him down - minister or not.
- - -
Previous poll question: Should we drop the voting age to 16? 87% said no.
New question:
Will John Duncan win the North Island in the next election if he runs?
Vote at www.courierislander.com
© Copyright (c) Postmedia News
For whom the Bell tolls?
Courier-Islander January 5, 2011
Well that puts a different twist on things. Or maybe not. Catherine Bell's exit from federal politics brings to an end what has been one of the closest riding battles in the country for the last three elections.
Bell, former MP and NDP federal candidate for the Vancouver Island North riding, has quit to spend more time with her business. And that puts all sorts of spins on what could happen when a federal election is called.
The key, of course, will be who the NDP chooses to run against incumbent MP and Minister for Indian Affairs and Northern Development John Duncan. And the other key will be who runs for the Liberals and if that party can garner more support than it did during the last election on the North Island.
Duncan's ministerial appointment could only be weighed as a good thing for him and the Conservatives locally and it would have been interesting to see how much it might have meant had he and Bell fought it out for the fourth time.
But while Duncan's ministerial good fortunes may mean more votes from some sectors, he could be in trouble because of the actions of a completely different ministry - that of Fisheries and Oceans.
Its handling of the light house de-staffing was abysmal, its almost scared approach to aquaculture is itself scary and its position on fisheries allocation - especially halibut - affect a whole realm of voters who could bring him down - minister or not.
- - -
Previous poll question: Should we drop the voting age to 16? 87% said no.
New question:
Will John Duncan win the North Island in the next election if he runs?
Vote at www.courierislander.com
© Copyright (c) Postmedia News