Customize your website

Burrows seeking federal Liberal nomination

Published on July 20th, 2009
Published on January 3rd, 2010
Darrell Cole
Topics :
Conservatives , Nova Scotia Federation of Agriculture , Mount Allison University , Ottawa , AMHERST , Colchester County

AMHERST - With an election coming in the fall, Cumberland-Colchester-Musquodoboit Valley Liberals are preparing for what they feel will be their best opportunity to reclaim the riding in more than a decade.
Colchester County dairy farmer Jim Burrows announced Friday he intends to seek the Liberal nomination in the riding that has been a Bill Casey stronghold since he defeated Dianne Brushett in 1997.
"It's going to take a lot of work on my behalf and the people who support me, but I believe there is a tremendous opportunity in this riding because people now vote for the candidates as opposed to the party. I think people will see me as a good potential representative for them in Ottawa," said the 51-year-old former president of the Nova Scotia Federation of Agriculture.
Burrows said the riding's unique mix of urban and rural communities offers its residents the potential to enjoy lifestyles and opportunities that are the envy of other Canadians. He feels his experience in the business world and in agriculture will help him in Ottawa.
The riding, held by Casey for 12 years, is now vacant after the veteran Independent MP retired from politics earlier this year to accept a job as the Nova Scotia government's representative in Ottawa.
The Conservatives have nominated provincial party president and former riding association president Scott Armstrong as their candidate, while there are strong indications Tracy Parsons, who ran for the Liberals against Casey last fall, will re-seek the Liberal nomination.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper has six months to call a byelection to replace Casey, but that call could be pre-empted by an election call early in the fall.
Burrows, a graduate of Mount Allison University and the operator of Clover Crest Farm, feels the fact Casey has retired opens the field up and gives other candidates a shot at winning the seat.
"People will be more open to the other options in the riding because Bill is not running again," he said, adding the federal Conservatives have been anything but kind to the riding and Atlantic Canada.
"We are a rural and small town riding in Atlantic Canada. When you look at how rural people and Atlantic Canada have been treated by this government, we need a strong voice."
The Liberal association has yet to set a nominating meeting date, but Burrows expects it will either be in August or September.
dcole@amherstdaily.com

Comments

  • Username
    Chicki
    - January 18th, 2010 at 11:16:38

    Mr Burrows will be tough to beat and when he gets the nod maybe considered the front runner. In the Ag community alone he's known right across NS. Just ask the Bacons, Fage, Scott, Muir, Taylor etc

    Submit a Comment

  • Username
    Robert
    - January 18th, 2010 at 10:43:11

    Who cares who the Lib candidate is Moriarty? This isn't provincial politics. This is federal. People voted for the NDP because they liked what Dexter had to say. Jack Layton is a whole other ballgame. He is NOT Dexter and most people know that. mustache Jack hasn't a hope in Hades of winning in Ottawa. Most ridings who vote NDP provincially usually don't vote the same federally and for good reason. To put an NDP incumbant in Ottawa as our MP would be political suicide. We'd suffer even more than simply having an opposition member represent us.

    Submit a Comment

  • Username
    Moriarty
    - January 18th, 2010 at 10:34:56

    The Liberal candidate?? Who cares?

    I wanna know who the NDP are nominating, this is going to be their race to lose.

    Submit a Comment

  • Username
    Moriarty
    - January 18th, 2010 at 10:33:05

    Well, Robert all I can say to that is take a look at the numbers in Cumberland North (provincially) in 2006 and 2009.

    Then look at last years CCMV numbers.

    I think you'll notice that the margin of victory for Fage and Casey is relatively the same. You'll also notice that the 2006 NDP provincial support is about 15% in Cumberland North...which is the same as the 2008 federal support in CCMV.

    Both NDP campaigns (Kim Cail provincial in 2006 and Karen Olsson Federal in 2008) did not have nearly the same amount of volunteers/excitment/organization as Skabar, Zann or Burrill's campaigns.

    The NDP is ready for a fight, and ready to mount a real campaign.

    This caught the traditional parties off guard in all 5 ridings that make up CCMV in the provinvial election. And will catch them off guard again this time.

    If not an NDP victory, I think we're looking at least a doubling of their support with the Libs holding down third place as they did last time.

    It really has nothing to do with Jack, in fact I think you'll see him stay out of the maritimes as much as he can. It has to do with the NDP's core support of about 15% without running an agressive campaign, and the impact an active campaign can have.

    My prediction, Tory win at about 40%, NDP second with roughly 35% with the Libs in 3rd.

    Of course, there is always the *X-Factor*...Elizabeth May. *shudder*

    Submit a Comment

  • Username
    Robert
    - January 18th, 2010 at 10:31:13

    While I admire the fact that you were able to produce numbers for your argument I have to disagree on the basis that most folks will see that the Provincial NDP and the Federal NDP are two entirely different entities with entirely different agendas.

    Darrel Dexter's NDP are a *slightly left of center* party while Jacks NDP are so far left they're barely on the same field as the rest of us. Darrel seems to know how to balance social attitudes with fiscal responsibility (I really, really hope he does anyhow) whereas Jack (and his cronies) barely have a grip on reality.

    Until all the cards are on the table I've ceased attacking Dexter. That isn't going to happen with the Federal NDP. They've proven time and again that they have no concept of reality and the vast majority of voters can see right through them. Any NDP incumbent to run in this riding will only be to ensure they get enough candidates to maximize their budget slice... not actually to win. Due to this, and the fact most folks can't stand the sound of Harper's name, I think Burrows stands a good chance should he run.

    Submit a Comment

Submit a Comment

Submit a Comment

This form is NOT used for emailing the article to a friend. Please use the "Email to a friend" link at the top of the page for that purpose.

The Amherst Daily News is not responsible for posted comments. Please be polite and confine your comments to the subject of the posted story. If you have an account, please sign on to it..

(we keep all emails private)
Agreement

We ask that users remain courteous. You may not post insulting, discriminatory or inappropriate content, which may be removed at our discretion. We are not responsible for user content and opinions. Use of this site as well as content submission & ownership are governed by our Conditions of Use and Privacy Policy.

Member organizations should be non-profit in nature, and promote legal activities. Any organization found promoting illegal activities or commercial products or services will be deleted from the site.

I agree with these conditions.

Enter the following code

Please copy the text above in this box.