Conservative MP Rob Clarke says Liberal candidate Lawrence Joseph is being “opportunistic” in his choice of party.
Both men will be running in the upcoming federal election in the Desnethe-Missinippi-Churchill River constituency.
Joseph, a former FSIN chief, ran against Clarke in the last federal election for the NDP, losing to the MP by under 800 votes.
This morning at a funding announcement just north of Prince Albert, Clarke commented on Joseph’s choice to change sides and run for the Liberals.
“As soon as he got defeated at the FSIN — it’s kind of ironic — when he came looking to say he was a Conservative looking for a job with myself. But now he went to the NDP, and then now for the Liberals. I think it’s more opportunistic than actually being fully committed for the parties.”
Joseph says he is running because he was asked.
“I was asked by the leader himself, I was asked by the constituents and I was encouraged by the chiefs in the riding and my family,” said Joseph. “The letters they have are ‘ABC’ — ‘Anything But Conservatives’ or ‘Anybody But Clarke’.”
La Loche mayor Georgina Jolibois recently announced her intention to seek nomination for the NDP.
The election is expected in the fall.