THUNDER BAY – Former NDP MP John Rafferty says he’d be fine with any of the three announced candidates in the party’s federal leadership race.
The battle grew by two on Monday, with Timmins-James Bay MP Charlie Angus and Quebec MP Guy Caron (Rimouski-Neigette-Témiscouata-Les Basques) throwing their names into the ring, joining B.C.’s Peter Julian (Burnaby-New Westminster) in the mix.
Rafferty said all three candidates have areas of expertise and would make good leaders going up against the Liberal government of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
“I think the next leader of the party has to make a straight line toward the goals that Canadian’s want,” Rafferty said, taking a poke at Trudeau by calling him the pipeline prime minister.
He wants a leader who is willing to properly address climate change in an effective way and also deal with income disparity and the growth and advancement of the middle class.
“And I think the third key is to ensure the promises make are promises kept toward Indigenous people in Canada.”
The former Thunder Bay-Rainy River MP, who served from 2008 to 2015, said there’s a lot to like about all three announced candidates, starting with Caron.
“He has very economically sound judgment when it comes to finances,” Rafferty said.
Angus, the NDP critic of Indigenous and Northern Affairs, is as knowledgeable as it gets on the needs of Canada’s Aboriginal people, Rafferty said.
“As far as Indigenous people and their issues, I don’t think there is a better candidate,” Rafferty said, adding it would also be nice to see a Northern Ontarian at the helm of the party, currently led by Thomas Mulcair, who was ousted last year during the party’s annual convention.
Julian would have the best handle on the proper approach to climate change.
“All three of them bring particular skills to the job,” Rafferty said.
The 63-year-old former politician has not publicly stated who he plans to support.
“Not at the moment,” he said, adding he knows all three very well.
