eo A10 - The Terrace Standard, Wednesday, February 9, 2000 Local NDPers back Corky LOCALLY ELECTED NDP delegates and MLA Helmut Giesbrecht will be in opposing camps at the party’s leadership conven- tion Feb. 18-19. Although Giesbrecht last month. came out in support of education mini- ster Gordon Wilson, the elected delegates chosen by NDP members in Skee- na Jan. 30 are all backing tival leadership candidate Corky Evans, “There were five to be had, plus a youth delegate and provincial council de- legate,” said Evans cam- paign manager Jane Hur- tig. “We got all five plus the youth.” She said it was a simi- lar story in a Prince Rupert delegate selection meeting last week for the North Coast constituency, where four out of five elected de- legates were promising to support Evans. Labour-selected dele- gates in Skeena and North Coast also sided with Evans, she said. “He’s got really strong support up there in the north in general,” Hurtig said, Giesbrecht isn’t the only cabinet minister who's been unable to deli- ver the delegates in his own riding to his chosen candidate. Hurtig said Nanaimo’s Dale Lovick, Cowichan- Ladysmith’s Jan Pullinger and Kootenay’s Erda Walsh all backed frontrun- ner Ujjal Dosanjh then watched local members elect a majority of Evans delegates. “It’s an example of how the MLA isn’t necessarily able to carry their dele- gates with them,” Hurtig said. NDP caucus and cabi- net members have formed relationships and alliances that are sometimes al odds with the thinking of grass- roots members. “The caucus members may be a little detached from what their members are feeling,” she added. “Corky has got the support of the actual NDP mem- bership.” Despite success in rural ridings, the Evans cam- paign is on shakier ground in more urban areas where large numbers of newly signed up pro-Dosanjh party members have been sweeping delegate selec- tion meetings. Skeena also sends five automatic members to the convention: Giesbrecht as the MLA, two lifetime Corky Evans members, provincial NDP council member Rob Gof- finet and provincial exec- utive member Gail Murray. Bulkley Valley-Stikine holds its delegate selec- tion meeting on Friday. MP Scott backs new party ~ SKEENA REFORM M.P. Mike Scott is juggling friendships and politics over the decision by his party to form a new, natio- nal one to battle the Lib- eral government. Up until two weekends ago, his close friend, southern B.C. Reform MP Randy White, had been the Reform parliamentary house leader. But he was dismissed by Reform leader Preston Manning just one day after an Ottawa convention of Reformers and others under the United Alterna- tive effort decided te form the Canadian Reform Con- servative Alliance. “Randy made no bones about it that he had ques- tions about the United Al- ternative initiative and about Preston as leader,” , said Scott. Lo Although White did come out in support of the new party after the week- iS vi ee Ye. Nyce Lady Dress & Bridal Shop end convention in Ottawa, Scott said Manning’s deci- sion to fire him came down to him needing the full support of a key mem- ber of the Reform team. “In Preston’s point of view, with that important role, he had to know he had a person who had con- fidence in him,” added Scolt. . As of last week, Scott had yet to speak with White about what hap- pened, saying he respected his point of view. “] hope this doesn’t af- fect our friendship,” said Scott. Scott and White also share the hosting duties of a current affairs radio show on the lower mainland. Scott doesn’t know if the events of the past while will affect the show. Scott’s raom mate in Ottawa is fellow B.C. Re- form MP Jay Hill, who was named party whip to. 50% off All Fall Fashions dh teded bb bbddbdh bidbdbd bddted Looking for that perfect gift for your special Valentine? 106-4716 Lazelle Ave repiace Fraser Valley MP Chuck Strahl. Strahl is now the house leader, The party whip is responsible for party dis- cipline and activity in par- liament. Scott wasn't at the Ot- tawa convention which de- cided to form the new Al- liance party." He hadn’t had a vaca- tion in nearly four years and instead spent several weeks snowshoeing and cross-country skiing in the Dease Lake area. He did‘speak to Man- ning last week and gave him his full support as lea- der and for the new party. Scott was lukewarm at first to the idea of convett- ing the Reform party to one that can also appeal to central and eastern Cana- dian voters when the Uni- ted Alternative concept _ arose in 1998, “But I did meet with him in December 1998 and 40% on “ All Lingerie SESE EKEEECEEEEECECEEECE Images by Karlene presents the Valentines Day Gift of the Year “A Day Of Pampering” includes 1 facial, 1 manicure, 1 make-up 1 shampoo, cut & style For the Special Price of $95.00 + tax Must be used as a package within 3 months of purchase | 7 SESECEEEEEECE EES 4652 Lazelle Avenue Lege 635-4997 Toll free: 1-800-251-4997 _ _ POVEVEEEYUEEEETEUEUEVEUEUYYY 4¢ CEEEEEEEEEE EEE EEE EEE ECEEEEEE ECE CE told him he had my full support,” said Scott. “J value his integrity and his honesty and his qualities as a human being and as a leader.” ‘“T really appreciate his intellect and his ability to see a lot-further down the road.” Scott said he didn’t spend a lot of time on the United Alternative effort because he’s been con- sumed with the Nisga’a treaty. _ “I tald Preston while I support what he was doing, I was heavily involved with the Nisga’a legisla- tion. It was a big issue po- litically and a big issue to me,” he said. - . Scott’s the Reform na- tive affairs critic and was a key player in the party’s failed attempt Jast Decem- ber. to change the Nispa'a treaty legislation when it appeared in Parliament. ARCTIC CAT What Snowmobiling’ All About; a PuOmsmsameruntme os pub an ees peASEN A et eg enya A