By Denise Fung
Ottawa Centre Conservatives will reveal the identity of their “high-profile” mystery candidate for the next provincial election by the end of the month.
In December, Barbara Corkum, president of the Ottawa Centre tory riding association, said a “high-profile” candidate would be revealed that month. But the announcement was never made and Corkum now says a candidate will be announced at the end of January.
An election may be called as early as this spring.
“Obviously, it has to be done soon, we’re very aware of that, but it has to be done right as well,” says Corkum. “To be very fair to the prospective candidates, it’s a very big commitment on their part as well so all bases have to be covered.”
Corkum says she is currently talking to three or four potential candidates. She acknowledged the Conservatives traditionally have not performed as well the Liberals or NDP in Ottawa Centre but said this has not played a role in the party’s delay in finding a candidate.
While the Conservatives are still seeking their candidate, the NDP is in the final stages of choosing one.
The Ottawa Centre NDP is in the midst of a contested nomination to be decided at the party’s Jan. 26 nomination meeting. City Coun. Elisabeth Arnold and education activist John Crump have been campaigning for NDP votes with Arnold emphasizing her experience in city politics and Crump emphasizing his ability to attract support from outside of the party.
Both criticize the Harris government’s policies towards education, health care, housing and tax cuts. And both say this will be the election that the NDP wins back the riding from the Liberals.
“It’s been really disappointing to see the weak Liberal opposition at Queen’s Park and I think they’ve been complacent in a lot of the Harris government’s policies because of their weakness,” says Arnold.
The two candidates made their nomination pitch at a forum last week attended by about 70 people.
“The fight in this riding is between the Liberals and the New Democrats,” John Crump told the meeting.
The Liberals, too, have their candidate.
Richard Patten, MPP for Ottawa Centre, is unopposed for the nomination.
Anne Schroder, president of the Ottawa Centre Liberal riding association, says the Liberal meeting to confirm Patten’s candidacy will be held on Feb. 15.
The NDP nomination, meanwhile, will be held at the Sala San Marco Banquet Hall at 215 Preston St. Guest speaker will be provincial NDP Leader Howard Hampton.