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Former farm leader runs for PCs in Man.

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Published: August 19, 1999

A former president of the Western Canadian Wheat Growers Association was chosen Aug. 12 as the Conservative candidate for Manitoba’s Arthur-Virden constituency.

Larry Maguire, a farmer from Elgin, Man., won the nomination after claiming the majority of votes on a second ballot. He was chosen after a string of events that drew provincewide attention earlier this year.

It was Maguire’s second bid for the nomination. He was passed over at an April 28 meeting that saw Gary Nestibo, an area farmer, chosen by the region’s Tory faithful.

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But in early May, the provincial party stripped Nestibo of his candidacy after it was revealed he had bought land from a councillor in the rural municipality of Winchester. The councillor was later accused of selling small plots of land to several buyers to pad the voters’ list for last fall’s municipal elections.

The provincial Tories also revoked Nestibo’s membership in the party. His wife then stepped forward, hoping to win the nomination in the Arthur-Virden constituency, which takes in the southwestern corner of Manitoba.

Gearing up for his campaign, Maguire said issues such as health care, education and justice are “just as important as ever.” Much of his attention will be devoted to the current farm crisis.

The Arthur-Virden area was among the regions hardest hit by excess moisture this spring. Farmers there are also feeling the sting of low commodity prices.

Predictable safety nets are needed for farmers, said Maguire, along with a disaster relief program that can respond quickly to the kinds of natural disasters seen in western Manitoba this year.

“That’s what we have here, is a real natural disaster.”

If elected as the riding’s next MLA, Maguire will replace Jim Downey, the current MLA who was first elected in 1977 and has held several prominent portfolios in the Tory cabinet.

“A person has to come into this and earn their own stripes,” said Maguire of his election bid.

Premier Gary Filmon was coy last week about an election call. There was speculation the writ would be dropped on Aug. 17.

About the author

Ian Bell

Brandon bureau

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