Prince Albert, SK, Thursday, December 27, 2007
Open letter to Stéphane Dion from Gordon Kirkby, former mayor of Prince
Albert and former Liberal MP for Churchill River
M. Stephane Dion
Leader of the Opposition
House of Commons
Ottawa, Ontario
Dear Sir,
It was with utter amazement that I read the story in
the Globe and Mail on December 19, 2007. It had been
said that there are some Liberals in this province that
put self interest and the maintenance of personal
influence ahead winning seats for the Liberal party.
Please examine over the years the success of those in
this Province who claim control over the Liberal Party
apparatus in expanding the fortunes of the Liberal
Party. There is a reason that those who exercise this
control have been so singularly unsuccessful in
enhancing the success of the Liberal Party in this
province. Even when we have successful candidates their
tenure is short lived. Self interest has been served
well and the level of success achieved is by design.
I will assume that the matter of the appointment has
been put to rest. I understand now that the Saskatchewan
election committee is trying to circumvent the fair use
of the rules by declaring an electoral emergency and
having the nomination pushed forward. It has been
related to me that, Mr. Dorion, the candidate in
opposition to Mr. Orchard, has gone on Holidays to
California declaring to some that “I (Mr. Dorion) have
it in the bag”. The same forces that pushed for the
appointment are pushing for an early nomination.
How possibly could certain Liberals in Saskatchewan
convince the National elected people that this would be
good for the party? Early nomination meetings have their
place when an election is commenced and a candidate has
not been nominated in a timely fashion.
Early nominations should not be made to circumvent a
proper nomination so that the powers that be in
Saskatchewan can pick their candidate, especially one
with doubtful electoral expectations, so they can
maintain their power. This will lead to a huge
demoralization of workers and supporters in a general
election who support Mr. Orchard.
The divisions caused by the sneakily manipulated
nomination meeting will ensure electoral defeat. Those
who are pushing for this eleventh hour change to the
nomination would know that. This only serves the
interest of those who cling to personal power ahead of
service to people.
This type of manipulation has been played over and
over again in this riding by these same power brokers
because the riding is winnable. The manipulation has
been designed to create divisions and to keep our
candidates weak or defeated. The history should be
examined and the involvement of those to the south of
here in the destruction is demonstrable. Someone has to
bring it to an end.
I told Mr. Orchard what would happen and he didn't
believe me. He believes me now. It is my hope that it
will not take a defeat in a general election in this
riding to convince you. Let the nomination run its
course at the end of January 2008. The nomination will
be when you want it to be. Two candidates working the
North for an extra month will enhance the visibility of
the party.
At the start of the candidacy of Mr. Orchard, it was
felt by many that he was too far behind to be successful
and the other candidate seeking the nomination was
supported by the power brokers. The people in many
places in the North and Rural communities have rallied
behind Mr. Orchard and I would imagine the urgency and
desperation of those opposing his candidacy have
spectacularly increased in recent weeks in proportion to
Mr. Orchard's success. When this success became apparent
the other candidate for the nomination was dropped like
a hot potato and the appointment push began in earnest.
Then when reports must have come back that indicated the
falsity of what was being conveyed to you, namely that
Mr. Orchard supported the appointment and so did the
riding, then the backup plan for the early nomination
was thrust upon Mr. Orchard.
The optics of this are terrible. It makes it appear
that the National party and its representatives have
capitulated to regional power brokers. What confidence
does this give to Canadians that we have the strength to
run the country again when we give in to the pouting of
some who see their influence slipping away? It appears
weak. It also appears disloyal. People will naturally
ask themselves why they would put a big effort in when
those efforts are so easily brushed aside. Regrettably,
in politics, the ideals are often subservient to
personal treatment.
I have represented large portions of this riding in
1993-1997 and was Mayor of Prince Albert for five years
before that. I currently practice law in the City of
Prince Albert. I understand the dynamics of the riding
and the candidate picked by power players will not win
the seat even if he wins the nomination fairly. If the
nomination is stolen for him, he will lose even more
handily. Someone must bring an end to the very
destructive cycle initiated by those to the south of
here. They have no business sticking their noses in the
riding. If the riding is lost, of course those from the
south will accept no responsibility but will blame
others for yet another fiasco which was orchestrated by
themselves.
We must see through the manipulations and see clearly
the “real politick” behind the color and light of the
push for the early nomination. I am personally very
upset by this turn of events. I will tell you right now
that if this early nomination is held we will win one
seat in this province. If Mr. Orchard runs we will have
our best chance at two. And two seats give us all more
choices. And choices are good things.
There is no need for a response and I will observe
the outcome with interest.
Best wishes,
Gordon Kirkby
Prince Albert, SK
kirkbylaw@sasktel.net
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