Third Grit Enters Race

by Scott Neufeld http://www.dailycourier.ca/

Former Yellowknife education minister shoots for local Liberal nomination.

The race for the Local Liberal nomination is becoming crowded with a third candidate vying for the party's approval. Former Yellowknife MLA Jake Ootes, now living near Salmon Arm, has declared his intention to run for the Grits in the next Okanagan-Shuswap nomination race.

"I missed the interaction with people and the ability to do things for people," Ootes said. "I enjoyed listening to constituents and ensuring they were taken care of." Ootes served as an MLA and the Northwest Territories education minister for eight years before retiring in 2003. He and his wife operate a farm and vineyard in the town of Celista on the north shore of Shuswap Lake.

For the past several months, Ootes said he has been talking to local Liberals to gain their support for his nomination bid. He said the party is a natural fit for him. “I’ve been a liberal all my life,” Ootes said. “It fits me fairly well; as education minister I gained a strong understanding of social needs, but I also have a strong background in business.” In addition to his years as an MLA, Ootes has worked for the federal government as an information officer for the Department of Northern Affairs. He has also worked for and owned newspapers in Ontario and Alberta. Although he’s only lived in the riding since 2005, Ootes said he’s developed an understanding for the complex issues that face the area. One of the key issues is inadequate infrastructure throughout the riding to handle the rising population and increase in visitors, Ootes said. Another issue is that everyone from seniors to children have been negatively affected by federal government cuts over the past year, he said. “There is a huge infrastructure deficit for municipalities and rural areas,” he said. “It’s not acceptable for the people of this constituency who are left with less money and fewer opportunities.”

The Liberals have not represented the North Okanagan since the 1970s and Ootes said it will take a lot of work to win it back. He said the Liberal candidate needs to be more visible in the next election and become more accessible to potential supporters. “This will be a challenge, however, I think I like challenges,” he said. “I’m determined to win but I recognize there are hurdles in order for me to get there.” A Liberal nomination date has not yet been set but the Liberals have scheduled a meeting for March 31 in Vernon. The meeting will be followed later by an annual general meeting in Salmon Arm. Other candidates who have declared their intentions to run include Enderby-resident Scott Blurton and Vernon city councillor Buffy Baumbrough.