Trudeau to visit Oceanside
Federal Liberal Party members on Vancouver Island will be joined by people who simply support the party when they vote to elect a new leader, says local constituency president Bill Stewart.
The upcoming leadership race officially begins Nov. 14, with voting to take place in April of next year.
“What makes this race different from those in the past is that this time supporters of the Liberal Party will be able to vote for our new leader,” Stewart said. “Anyone can become a supporter as long as they are 18 years old, are not a member of another political party and are eligible to vote in federal elections.”
He noted that since this new category was added last January, over 30,000 Canadians have signed up as supporters of the Liberal Party of Canada; about 3,500 of them in British Columbia.
Stewart said he is starting to see a real sense of excitement that has been lacking from the federal party for quite some time.
“Justin Trudeau’s announcement of his run to be leader has certainly brought a lot of attention to the race,” he said. He also said Trudeau isn’t the only candidate in the race.
“Two other Party members are official candidates: Alex Burton – a Vancouver lawyer and crown prosecutor, and Deborah Coyne – a constitutional lawyer, professor and author,” he said. “Several others are presently testing the waters and could be announcing their candidacy by the Nov. 14 deadline.”
Among these, he said, is Marc Garneau — a retired military officer, former astronaut and engineer.
The Central Vancouver ridings of Nanaimo-Cowichan and Nanaimo-Alberni will be kicking off the leadership race with the visit of Deborah Coyne on Oct. 25 from 6 -8 p.m. in the Shaw Lobby of the Vancouver Island Conference Centre.
“We plan to host visits by all of the leadership contenders to Nanaimo —yes, even Justin Trudeau —between now and April and welcome everyone to come out and meet them, become a supporter, and vote for the new leader of the Liberal Party of Canada,” he said.
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