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's bid to lead the federal New Democrats has two more supporters. NDP MP Carol Hughes and MLA Michael Sather have endorsed the Churchill MP in what many see as a long-shot attempt at the official opposition leader's job. 'I'm proud to endorse my friend and colleague Niki Ashton to be the next leader of our party and the first NDP Prime Minister of Canada,' said Hughes, who represents the Ontario riding of Algoma-Manitoulin-Kapusasking. 'Niki understands parts of the country like mine, and I believe that she best understands the challenges of families in northern Ontario. She understands that to build an NDP government we need to win seats in rural and northern regions that are being taken for granted by Stephen Harper.' Hughes said Ashton's bilingualism is a critical skill for the next leader. 'Niki Ashton is bilingual and understands the diversity of our country, from working with Aboriginal peoples to new Canadians,' she said. Ashton said she appreciates Hughes' support, calling the two-term MP 'a passionate advocate for the communities in her riding and a leading voice in our caucus for the people of rural and northern Canada.' Sather, a New Democratic MLA in B.C., called Ashton 'one of the brightest stars on the NDP horizon in quite some time.' 'One is struck by her quick mind, facility with languages and vibrant personality,' he said. 'Niki is a good listener and just plain fun to be around. 'At the same time, despite her many attributes, I have found Niki to be a remarkably humble person. Her social skills are superb, a characteristic that is not always well developed in politicians.' 'Right ideas' Sather added that Ashton 'has the right ideas about inclusiveness, fairness, equality and concern for the environment' and 'understands what it takes to lead our party at a time when Canadians are reinventing politics and to reach out to the voters we will need in order to take the next step.' Again Ashton welcomed the support with kind words. 'Michael is passionately committed to the environment and to building a more equal and inclusive Canada,' she said. 'I look forward to working with him to make further inroads for our party in B.C. and throughout Western Canada in the next election.' Other more well-known supporters of Ashton's leadership campaign include NDP MPs Jean Francois LaRose, Francine Raynault and Francois Choquette, Manitoba Deputy Premier Eric Robinson and nine other Manitoba NDP MLAs and numerous community leaders. _ With notes from news releases from the Office of Niki Ashton
