Maverick NDP MP eager for new leader

The punishment continues for Thunder Bay's two NDP MPs.

Just beforeWednesday night's vote to kill the long-gun registry,party officials told Thunder Bay-Superior North MP Bruce Hyerand Thunder Bay-Rainy River MP John Rafferty that the sanctions imposed last fall would remainif they supported the bill again on final reading.

Neither MP reversed his stand, making them the only members of the Opposition to vote with the government.

Hyer said he hopesnext month's party electionwill be the end of sanctions.

"I am counting the days, hours, minutes and seconds until we get a new leader," he said. "Hopefully a good one."

Hyer added that he feels comfortable with the position he took, and hopes people in his riding who didn't agree with his stance will forgive him at some point.

Rafferty said he thinks everyone is getting a little tired of the issue and wants things to go back to normal.

"There's a lot of other work to do, and quite frankly I'm happy that we're gonna put this behind us and continue to do the work that people in my riding expect us to do".