More NS Liberals Angry at Dion/May Deal

From The Halifax Daily News...

You don't advance democracy by limiting voters' choices
DAVID RODENHISER
The Daily News

Stephane Dion is so concerned about global warming and the future of our planet that he doesn’t want you to vote Liberal — at least, not if you live in New Glasgow, or Antigonish, or Sheet Harbour, or any of the hundred other communities that make up the Central Nova riding.

Depending on who you talk to, Dion’s decision not to run a candidate in Central Nova in order to bolster Green party Leader Elizabeth May’s chances against Peter MacKay is either inspired, infuriating or insane. Maybe it’s all three.

Put Bill Gillis firmly in the infuriated camp. Gillis was the Liberal MLA for Antigonish from 1970 to 1998. Now, he’s got no choice he’s happy with for the next federal election.

“It hurts,” he said yesterday.

“You’re essentially disenfranchised. I guess you’ve got three basic choices: you can vote for one of the other candidates who are on the ballot, you can spoil your ballot, or you can stay home. None of them are particularly palatable for people who believe in the Liberal party, have worked for it and have served it.”

Gillis said he can’t fathom what Dion sees as the political upside to not fielding a candidate.