Newly elected at-large councillor Ken Boshcoff has no intention of giving up the federal Liberal nomination in Thunder Bay-Rainy River
Boshcoff, who lost the seat to the NDP’s John Rafferty in 2008, said voters knew his situation before the municipal election, and it didn’t prove to be a concern to most as he was topped the at-large poll with more than 22,000 votes.
“With my energy, I expect that I will serve my community 100 per cent until something is comes up. And it may be for quite some time,” Boshcoff said on Thursday, after an open mike session with federal Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff at Confederation College.
Both the ruling Conservatives, who hold minority government status in the House of Commons, and the Liberals have been posturing for a federal election since the ballots were cast in 2008, though with no side edging into majority territory at the polls, neither party has found the courage to pull the trigger.
However, because of legislation passed by the Tories, should the Conservative minority hang on to power and not be forced to the polls early, they will have to call an election in 2012, two years before Boshcoff’s term on council would be up.
The 61-year-old said it’s not uncommon for federal and provincial candidates to hold municipal office while running for a higher level of government.
Nipigon Mayor Richard Harvey is the Conservative candidate in Thunder Bay-Superior North, while closer to home, Coun. Rebecca Johnson ran for the Conservatives in 2007 while still a member of city council.
What he’s doing is not unprecedented, Boshcoff said.
“Of the thousands of people who have been on councils during federal and provincial elections, I would just be one of those people doing the same thing.”
Boshcoff got Ignatieff’s wholehearted backing.
“We’re delighted,” the Liberal leader said, turning to Boshcoff standing to his right. “How many votes did you get this time? Twenty-three thousand? That’s a pretty strong vote of confidence in Ken Boshcoff’s leadership and the respect he commands in this community.
“But I need him in Ottawa and he wants to come to Ottawa, so that’s where we’re going.”
Should Boshcoff defeat Rafferty, council would be left with a couple of choices to replace him. The usual practice in Thunder Bay is to appoint the next closest finisher in the most recent election, which in this case would be longtime Coun. Lawrence Timko, who finished sixth of 19 candidates.
That’s the option council chose in 2007, when Andy Savela stepped down from his McKellar seat to pursue his career.
Council , who would be free to appoint any eligible resident, could also choose to hold a byelection.
Should a mayor step down, however, council would have to choose a replacement from the remaining 12 members.
Boshcoff, who lost the seat to the NDP’s John Rafferty in 2008, said voters knew his situation before the municipal election, and it didn’t prove to be a concern to most as he was topped the at-large poll with more than 22,000 votes.
“With my energy, I expect that I will serve my community 100 per cent until something is comes up. And it may be for quite some time,” Boshcoff said on Thursday, after an open mike session with federal Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff at Confederation College.
Both the ruling Conservatives, who hold minority government status in the House of Commons, and the Liberals have been posturing for a federal election since the ballots were cast in 2008, though with no side edging into majority territory at the polls, neither party has found the courage to pull the trigger.
However, because of legislation passed by the Tories, should the Conservative minority hang on to power and not be forced to the polls early, they will have to call an election in 2012, two years before Boshcoff’s term on council would be up.
The 61-year-old said it’s not uncommon for federal and provincial candidates to hold municipal office while running for a higher level of government.
Nipigon Mayor Richard Harvey is the Conservative candidate in Thunder Bay-Superior North, while closer to home, Coun. Rebecca Johnson ran for the Conservatives in 2007 while still a member of city council.
What he’s doing is not unprecedented, Boshcoff said.
“Of the thousands of people who have been on councils during federal and provincial elections, I would just be one of those people doing the same thing.”
Boshcoff got Ignatieff’s wholehearted backing.
“We’re delighted,” the Liberal leader said, turning to Boshcoff standing to his right. “How many votes did you get this time? Twenty-three thousand? That’s a pretty strong vote of confidence in Ken Boshcoff’s leadership and the respect he commands in this community.
“But I need him in Ottawa and he wants to come to Ottawa, so that’s where we’re going.”
Should Boshcoff defeat Rafferty, council would be left with a couple of choices to replace him. The usual practice in Thunder Bay is to appoint the next closest finisher in the most recent election, which in this case would be longtime Coun. Lawrence Timko, who finished sixth of 19 candidates.
That’s the option council chose in 2007, when Andy Savela stepped down from his McKellar seat to pursue his career.
Council , who would be free to appoint any eligible resident, could also choose to hold a byelection.
Should a mayor step down, however, council would have to choose a replacement from the remaining 12 members.
