Manitoba election: Rana Bokhari grilled about Liberal Party controversies

After a tough couple of weeks on the campaign trail, Liberal Leader Rana Bokharimade her election pitch on Wednesdayto business leaders at a ManitobaChambers of Commerce breakfast.

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But when meeting with reporters following her address, Bokhariwas reeled back into talking about the controversies plaguing her party.

Shewas askedabout anemailsent out Tuesday by communications directorMike Brown, which named CBC and appears to warn other Liberals against makingnegative comments about the liberal leader. The party has insistedthe email was not sent out in error and Bokhari repeated that on Wednesday.

Bokhari said the email was sent in order tobe fully transparent with media.

RAW: Rana Bokhari grilled about Liberal Party controversies

8 years ago

Duration 3:07

After a tough couple of weeks on the campaign trail, Liberal Leader Rana Bokhari made her election pitch on Wednesday to business leaders at a Manitoba Chambers of Commerce breakfast. But when meeting with reporters following her address, Bokhari was reeled back into talking about the controversies plaguing her party.

• BobAxworthy, former Manitoba Liberal leadership hopeful, 'disheartened' by campaign gaffes

"Hundred per cent meant for everyone, and if it was to happen again, we'd send the same one out," she said.

Bokhariwas also asked about the party being unable tofielda full slate of candidates after losing several, either due to disqualification byElections Manitoba or because ofcontroversy.

Each time she skirted answering by saying Manitobans don't care about those things.

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"These are issues that Manitobans are not focusing on right now.Right now Manitobans care about themselves, they care about their own lives, as they should," Bokhari said.

"So these petty kind of political issues don't reflect the needs and wants of Manitobans.This is an election about change.This is an election about what Manitobans need."

"They're struggling right now and I think we need to start really focusing on policies."

During her address, Bokhari was asked by Manitoba Chambers of Commercepresident and CEO Chuck Davidsonhow she is finding the experience of her first campaign as a party leader.

"Can I just smile?" she asked. "I'm enjoying the process. Can I leave it at that?"

Bokhari responds to Axworthy's comments

Asked about comments made Tuesday by Bob Axworthy, who ran against her for the party leadership in 2013, Bokhari said he hasn't been part of this campaign.

Axworthyhadcalled the Liberal campaign disheartening anddisorganized.

"He doesn't know the internal workings of this party. He doesn't have any insight. And that's the end," Bokhari said.

"There are more important issues that Manitobans are concerned about."