FEDERAL NDP LEADERSHIP RACE

January 24-26, 2003, New Democrats across Canada will vote directly for the next federal leader of the NDP. This is the first time the OMOV (One Member, One Vote) system wil be used.

Here is an introduction to the candidates.

__________________________________________________________________________

Reverend Bill Blaikie, MP for Winnipeg-Transcona, has been elected 6 times since 1979. He has been the NDP's strongest voice in resistance to the exportation of American-style capitalism through MAI, NAFTA, FTAA, WTO, and IMF, and speaks frequently on peace and social justice issues. He led the NDP's criticism of the "anti-terrorist" legislation introduced by the Liberals, as he was concerned that basic civil rights were being undermined. He is currently our House Leader on Parliament Hill.

Visit Bill's leadership home page: More About Bill

PIERRE DUCASSE

Until he decided to seek the leadership, Pierre Ducasse was our Federal NDP Associate President, with special responsibilities for Quebec. (Quebec has no provincial NDP organization, most left-leaning Quebeckers supporting the PQ.) A researcher and political activist, he seeks the leadership with the slogan IMAGINATION: SOLUTIONS. He is the first NDP leadership candidate who lives in Quebec. Pierre believes we can stand by our democratic socialist principles, but we need new ways to implement them.

Visit Pierre's leadership home page: More about Pierre

JACK LAYTON

BEV MESLO

A British Columbian feminist socialist , Bev is the leadership candidate from the Socialist Caucus, and the only woman seeking the NDP leadership at this time. Her extensive biography, available on her web site, indicates a life of activism in social change as a socialist, a feminist, and a trade unionist. Bev has been involved in most of the progressive movements on the Left coast, and presses for a swing to the left to build a coalition of progressive forces across Canada. Her first hurdle will be to meet the requirements for official nomination, but socialist Caucus members are confident that the support is there.

Visit Bev's leadership page: More about Bev

LORNE NYSTROM

Lorne formally joined the race July 31. This will be Lorne's third shot at the leadership of the NDP during his 29 years in parliament. MP for Regina-Qu'aAppelle, he is recognized as the caucus expert on economics, and his campaign will stress the importance of a sound economic platform in support of our social policies. Author of Just Making Change, a primer on economic and financial issues, he is also a strong supporter of parliamentary reform. He has been deeply involved internationally in the political development of newly democratized countries.

Visit Lorne's leadership page: More about Lorne

__________________________________________________________________________

There are a few rumours flying about, as well — a draft Svend Robinson campaign, the possible entry of Joe Comartin from Windsor. Although there's been nothing said, expectations are that Svend - and Buzz - will support Layton.

adapted from the:
The Mississauga South New Democratic Party Riding Association