Rafferty being challenged for NDP nod here

Nomination meetings to choose the NDP candidate for the Thunder Bay-Rainy River riding in the next federal election are being held this weekend.
Two-time nominee John Rafferty, who lives in Fort Frances, is being challenged this time around by former Thunder Bay councillor Betty Kennedy.
Both nominees will be on hand for the three scheduled meetings.
The first will take place here on Saturday (March 29) at La Place Rendez-Vous, with registration beginning at 10:30 a.m. and the call to order at 11 a.m.
The second session will be Saturday at 5:30 p.m. at the Native Friendship Centre in Atikokan, while the final one slated for Sunday (March 30) at 2:30 p.m. at the Lakehead Labour Centre in Thunder Bay.
“This is an important nomination because there is still election talk in the air federally and there is a good opportunity to take back this riding, this election,” stressed Rafferty, adding he has been in a contested nomination before.
He ran is his first federal election in 2000 and since then has worked hard for northerners. His hard work was recognized in the last election, falling short by just 630 votes.
Meanwhile, having grown up learning and working in the north, Kennedy has an appreciation and understanding of the unique opportunities offered here.
She first got involved in politics by successfully running for Thunder Bay council in 1982. She served for seven-consecutive terms until 2003.
The keynote speaker for the three nomination meetings will be veteran NDP MP Judy Wasylycia-Leis, who has represented Winnipeg North since 1997.
She currently serves as chair of the federal NDP caucus and critic for Health and Persons with Disabilities.
As the NDP finance critic from 2003-07, Wasylycia-Leis played a key role in ensuring passage of the NDP’s Better Balanced Budget.
All are encouraged to stop by the nomination meetings this weekend to listen to Wasylycia-Leis’ address, as well as to hear from the two candidates.
All members of the NDP in good standing living within the boundaries of the riding, and members at least 30 days prior to the nomination, are encouraged to vote.
The nomination meetings are open to the public, but only party members are eligible to vote.