Manitoba Tories mum on halted Assiniboia nomination meeting

Manitoba Progressive Conservatives wouldn't say Thursday why a nomination meeting was abruptly halted just after party members cast their ballots.

Tories in the Assiniboia constituency in west Winnipeg were choosing between candidates Michael Bailey and Robert Harper on Wednesday night when they were suddenly told the votes would not be counted and the nomination meeting postponed indefinitely.

"Last night's candidate selection meeting in Assiniboia was adjourned so party officials could look into some new information that came to light," was the party's response in a one-line statement from MLA Bonnie Mitchelson, one of three people on the candidate selection committee. She rejected interview requests.

'This happens,' says Tory leader

Tory Leader Brian Pallister was scheduled to speak at the meeting, but did not attend. He said Thursday he did not know any details.

"I was just let known not to bother coming because the meeting wasn't going to happen," Pallister said.

"The nominating committee let me know that there were some concerns about the meeting. This happens. It's unfortunate when it does."

Two party sources told The Canadian Press that voting was stopped because of concerns that memberships sold by at least one candidate may not be valid.

The sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the votes were not counted and people in the room were left wondering what will happen next.

Issue for party HQ

The two candidates have not spoken publicly. Bailey did not return phone calls and Harper declined to comment other than to say he has no idea when the nomination meeting will be rescheduled.

Pallister said it's an issue for party headquarters, so he is not going to interfere.

"The nominating committee has a really difficult job, and I think it's best for me to let them do their job."

Assiniboia has been held by New Democrat Jim Rondeau since 1999, but he is retiring and the Tories are hoping to recapture what was once a party stronghold.

The Tories have so far nominated 47 of 57 candidates for the provincial election slated for April 19.