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More nominees surface in Victoria byelection

NDP race increases to three, Greens set final list of three potential candidates, Liberals have one, Conservatives quiet

Two of the four major parties running in the upcoming Victoria federal byelection are seeing a slew of potential candidates vying for the job.

Elizabeth Cull, a former provincial cabinet minister, and Charley Beresford, a former school trustee, have added their names to the growing list of people seeking the NDP nomination.

Cull served as Oak Bay-Gordon Head MLA from 1989 to 1996, becoming finance minister and deputy premier.

“I was part of the (Mike) Harcourt NDP administration here in British Columbia, I know that economic health relies on the health of our citizens, our environment and our communities,” Cull said in a news release.

Cull owns businesses in Victoria and Oak Bay, is a supporter of the urban farming movement and a member of several Victoria area business associations.

Beresford is a former Greater Victoria school trustee and is executive director of the Columbia Institute, a research and public policy organization focused on leadership for sustainable communities.

“We don’t need pipelines and oil tankers, we need the Canadian government to be a leader in fighting climate change not a leader in creating pollution,” Beresford said in a statement.

Murray Rankin, an environmental lawyer and former University of Victoria law professor, announced on Sept. 9 his interest in the NDP candidacy.

Local NDP members will choose between its candidates Oct. 14.

Greens release final list of candidate nominees

The Green Party of Canada released its finalized list of three nominees on Saturday.

They include Donald Galloway, a UVic law professor and refugee rights advocate; Trevor Moat,  an electrical engineer and board member of the James Bay Neighbourhood Association; and Mark Loria, development director at both the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria and the Victoria Conservatory of Music.

Green party members will choose their candidate Sept. 29 at the Metro Theatre, in conjunction with their annual general meeting.

Liberals have one, Conservatives none

Paul Summerville, a former RBC chief economist and UVic economics professor, is currently the only Liberal Party nominee.

No one has yet come forward seeking the Conservative nomination.

A byelection was called after New Democrat MP Denise Savoie stepped down Aug. 31 for health reasons.

The byelection date will set by the federal government, and must be called within six months of Savoie’s resignation.

dpalmer@vicnews.com