With the federal budget being released today, local federal parties have been gearing up for a possible snap election.
Thunder Bay-Rainy River MP Ken Boshcoff (Liberal) was acclaimed at a nomination meeting Nov. 16 in Thunder Bay.
John Rafferty, meanwhile, was acclaimed as the local NDP candidate at a series of nomination meetings held in Fort Frances, Atikokan, and Thunder Bay in early February.
Rafferty finished second to Boshcoff in both the 2004 and 2006 elections.
The local Conservative riding association will hold the first of two nomination meetings on Friday, March 30 at 7 p.m. at the Emo Legion.
A second meeting will be held the following day in Thunder Bay.
Richard Neumann, former president of the Thunder Bay-Rainy River Conservative Association, is the only candidate to throw his hat into the ring so far.
And the Green Party has two candidates seeking the nomination here: Russ Aegard, who has represented the party in the last two federal elections, and Dr. Terry Hill.
The nomination meeting will be held Tuesday, March 27 at 5 p.m. at the Mary J.L. Black Library in Thunder Bay.
Aegard already has been acclaimed as the provincial candidate for the Green Party in Thunder Bay-Atikokan for the election set for this October.
Finance minister Jim Flaherty delivered his budget to the House of Commons this afternoon, though early reports say the government is unlikely to fall over the budget, which is expected to contain money for the provinces, social programs, and education.
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
