The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
Jonathon Naylor Editor Niki Ashton is denying rumours she is dropping out of an NDP leadership race few believe she can win. Speaking with the Winnipeg Free Press last week, the Churchill MP accused frontrunner Thomas Mulcair of spreading the falsehood in Quebec. 'Obviously, it would benefit a number of candidates if I was not in the race,' Ashton told the newspaper. 'It is no accident that these rumours are centred in Quebec, because I have been very active there and I have been getting support in Quebec.' But it has been limited support. Elections Canada data released earlier this month showed Ashton raised the least amount of money of any of the eight leadership hopefuls in the final quarter of 2011. Her $10,215 was dwarfed by the $157,132 brought in by former frontrunner Brian Topp and the $145,913 generated by Mulcair. Support surge Nonetheless, the Ashton camp is touting what it calls a surge in support and donations among ethnic and young Canadians. Campaign co-chair Noah Evanchuk said Ashton has signed up new members in all but two provinces. 'She received significant support from Greek Canadians from across the country,' he said in a news release. 'Whether it was on Danforth in Toronto or Park Avenue in Montreal, Halifax, Trois Rivieres or Vancouver, Greek Canadians have been supporting Niki in record numbers.' Ashton has also received support from Aboriginal, Sikh, Muslim and Phillipino communities as well as amongst young people, according to her campaign. 'We made a major effort to encourage people to sign up over the Internet and...many people responded,' said Evanchuk. Meanwhile, contributions have been coming in what the campaign called 'a rapid pace,' though no new financial figures were included in the news release. Evanchuk said those involved with the campaign believe they are 'challenging for second place in Quebec, well positioned elsewhere in Canada and are leading here on the Prairies.' On Monday, Ashton announced she had secured the support of another Manitoba government minister. Ron Kostyshyn, the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, is also the MLA for Swan River. 'Niki Ashton understands rural communities. She understands agriculture. She understands Western Canada,' he said. 'Niki demonstrated her strength and determination as one of the leading opponents of the federal government's attack on the Canadian Wheat Boat. She is committed to the family farm. She has the skills and commitment to lead us to government in 2015.' Politicians Other high-profile Manitoba politicians backing Ashton include Deputy Premier Eric Robinson, Trade Minister Peter Bjornson, Culture Minister Flor Marcelino and Transportation Minister Steve Ashton, Niki's father. Flin Flon MLA Clarence Pettersen is also behind her bid to lead the official opposition. The NDP leadership convention will be held March 23 and 24 in Toronto.
