Disgruntled Liberals Schedule Emergency Meeting
Wednesday, January 09, 2008 at 14:50
A group of supporters of David Orchard are planning to hold what they’re calling an “emergency meeting” of Liberal members in Desnethe-Missinippi-Churchill River this weekend in Prince Albert.
Shoal Lake Chief Marcel Head and former Metis Nation of Saskatchewan president Jimmy Durocher are organizing the gathering, which will take place Saturday morning.
They will try to put the wheels in motion to reverse Liberal Leader Stephane Dion’s recent appointment of Joan Beatty as the party’s candidate in the March 17th by-election in northern Saskatchewan.
Saturday’s meeting will be used to establish a riding association executive and set a nomination date.
Durocher and Head haven’t been shy about voicing their displeasure over Beatty’s appointment.
In a press release issued late yesterday, they say they won’t let an “Indian Act mentality” impose a candidate on northern citizens.
Beatty and four high-profile Liberal MPs have been meeting with “northern community leaders” in La Ronge today, and plan to address the media this afternoon.
The Liberal delegation includes Bob Rae, Ken Dryden and Ralph Goodale.
Durocher is not impressed that he just learned about the event this morning.
Durocher also insists most northern leaders weren’t told about it ahead of time, and accuses the Liberals of “trying to pull the wool over our eyes”.
He says part of the reason why he decided to stage the emergency membership meeting in Prince Albert this weekend is because he doesn’t feel that grassroots constituents are being listened to.
Durocher says he hopes MPs like Goodale attend.