AMHERST - Voters in Cumberland-Colchester-Musquodoboit Valley are going to the polls in early November to fill a vacancy created earlier this year by the resignation of longtime MP Bill Casey.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper ended several months of speculation early Sunday, announcing byelections in four ridings Nov. 9.
Ballots will also be cast in two Quebec ridings and in the Vancouver area riding of New Westminster-Coquitlam in British Columbia.
The vote will be a huge test for the Conservatives in Cumberland-Colchester-Musquodoboit Valley. The seat was a longtime Tory stronghold until 2007 when Casey was thrown out of the party caucus for his stance on the federal budget. Casey, who was first elected in 1984 and then returned in 1997, voted against the government because it changed the Atlantic Accord to the detriment of Nova Scotia.
Casey remained in Ottawa as an Independent MP and was re-elected by a huge margin last October, garnering 27,303 votes compared to a little more than 4,700 for New Democrat runner-up Karen Olsson.
The byelection became necessary earlier this year when Casey resigned his seat to accept a position as the Nova Scotia government's representative in Ottawa.
Truro school principal Scott Armstrong is representing the Conservatives this time. Green Oaks, Colchester Co., dairy farmer Jim Burrows is hoping to become the first Liberal since Dianne Brushett in 1993 to win the riding.
Running for the New Democrats this time is Old Barns blueberry farmer and sustainability co-ordinator Mark Austin, while Jason Blanch of Amherst is carrying the Green Party colours.
Christian Heritage Party leader Jim Hnatiuk is also running.
dcole@amherstdaily.com
Calling all voters
Byelection for Cumberland-Colchester-Musquodoboit Valley set for Nov. 9
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- Skeptic
- - February 24th, 2010 at 23:45:58
This one will be interesting.
The Liberal guy is all about farming. Conservative guy is all about politics.
The NDP guy is all about community.
(of course the Green is green and Christian is Christian)
What are Amherst's issues? -
- Fuzzy Bear
- - February 24th, 2010 at 23:45:53
Hummmmm with those choices the question before cumberland county voters is...to vote or not to vote??
From my point of view I may just go into hibernation early and stay there!! -
- Moriarty
- - February 24th, 2010 at 23:45:47
....This seat is going NDP. It will be a close race between Armstrong and Austin, but I think the NDP's momentum from the provincial race means that CCMV could join the 2 other NS ridings in the NDP benches.
Provided the NDP volunteer base answers the call, the Tories have very little chance of regaining this seat -
- First Time
- - February 24th, 2010 at 23:45:34
NDP - NDP - NDP!!!
Time to send another message,
NDP all the way!!! -
- Skeptic
- - February 24th, 2010 at 23:45:32
Actually..a re-think.
The CH guy is one narrow brand of Christianity. The Green guy may be out-greened by the NDP guy. The Liberal has a lot of organizational experience. And, the Conservative is all about winning. -
- Don
- - February 24th, 2010 at 23:45:21
Let's remember our ABC's, anyone but conservative. I don't care who is running, the tories will never get my vote again as long as Harper is there.
