Conservatives pick former NDPer Kaur Sidhu for Maples in 2016 election

A former New Democrat will represent the Progressive Conservatives in The Maples in the 2016 provincial election.

Party officials say Winnipeg pharmacist Kaur Sidhu won the nomination Saturday at a packed meeting with about 1,000 members.

"Everybody is tired of (the) NDP and its broken promises," he said. "People want change. So do I."

In 2006, Sidhu wanted to represent the NDP in The Maples, but said the party barred him from the nomination process.

Sidhu said then-premier Gary Doer's chief of staff Michael Balagus offered him a position on the Manitoba Taxicab Board in exchange for staying out of the NDP nomination race in The Maples and instead running in River East.

"Instead of letting the democratic process go ahead, he was forcing me to not run for The Maples," Sidhu said. "That's not fair. Everybody has the right to run."

• New Democrat blasts own party over nomination irregularities
• No charges after Elections Manitoba investigation

At the time,Balaguswas publiclyaccused ofoffering Sidhu a high-profile position with the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority.

The controversy sparked an investigation by Elections Manitoba.

In August 2007, Elections Manitoba determined it would not lay charges in connection with the allegations.

'People will give me a second chance'

In 2012, the pharmacist ran into trouble with the Manitoba Pharmaceutical Association.

It fined him $4,000 for transferring prescriptions from his former pharmacy to his new one.

He was also forced to pay $16,000 for the cost of the investigation.

"I learned from that mistake, and I deny nothing," he said. "I think people will give me a second chance."

Sidhusaid he expects to take The Maples away from the NDP in the April 2016 election, because the immigrant has proven himself a successful businessman.

In the 2011 provincial election,Sidhuran for the Tories in theRossmere constituency, but lost.