Star candidate
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In Canada, a star candidate refers to a high profile individual who has been recruited as a candidate by a political party. Star candidates have usually excelled in fields outside of politics such as academia, business, the media or journalism. Less commonly they are either retired high-profile politicians who have been lured back into politics or a big-city mayor or provincial premier who has been convinced to enter federal politics.
[edit] 2006 election
In the 2006 federal election, the following individuals have been touted as "star candidates".
- Chris Axworthy, Liberal, (Saskatoon-Wanuskewin) former Saskatchewan NDP cabinet minister - defeated by Maurice Vellacott
- Allan Cutler, Conservative (Ottawa South), original whistle-blower in the sponsorship scandal, exposing corruption in the Liberal government. - defeated by David McGuinty - defeated
- Tony Clement, former Ontario health minister. - elected
- Michael Ignatieff, Liberal, (Etobicoke—Lakeshore), renowned Harvard University professor, author and public intellectual -elected
- Peter Kent, Conservative (St. Paul's), former anchor for Global News, 1970s anchor of The National, former foreign correspondent. - defeated by Carolyn Bennett
- Paul Summerville, New Democratic Party (St. Paul's), former bank vice-president and chief economist. - defeated by Carolyn Bennett
- Marc Garneau, Liberal (Vaudreuil-Soulanges), astronaut, head of Canadian Space Agency, first Canadian in space. - defeated by Meili Faille
- Deborah Coyne, Liberal (Toronto—Danforth), constitutional lawyer, former advisor to Clyde Wells, mother of Pierre Trudeau's only daughter. - defeated by NDP Party Leader Jack Layton
- Lawrence Cannon, Conservative (Pontiac), former provincial Liberal cabinet minister of Quebec - elected
- Tina Keeper, Liberal, (Churchill), Gemini Award-winning actress, North of 60 - elected
- Edward Schreyer, NDP (Selkirk—Interlake), former Governor General of Canada and former Premier of Manitoba. - defeated by James Bezan - defeated
[edit] 2004 election
In the 2004 Canadian federal election, the media used the term "star candidate" frequently because Liberal leader Paul Martin changed the nomination process to allow him to handpick his preferred candidates.
- Ed Broadbent, NDP (Ottawa Centre), 2004, former NDP leader came out of retirement after over a decade to return to Parliament - elected
- Glen Murray, Liberal (Charleswood-St. James), incumbent Mayor of Winnipeg resigned his post to run for the Liberals - defeated by Steven Fletcher
- Belinda Stronach, Conservative (Newmarket-Aurora), CEO of Magna International - elected
- Chris Axworthy, Liberal, 2004, former Saskatchewan NDP cabinet minister, leadeship contestant and ex-federal NDP MP, switched parties to run for Liberals - defeated
- Ujjal Dosanjh, Liberal (Vancouver South), former NDP Premier of British Columbia - elected
- Monia Mazigh, NDP (Ottawa South), wife of Maher Arar, campaigned for his release - defeated by David McGuinty - defeated
- Ken Dryden, Liberal (York Centre), former goalie for the Montreal Canadiens, vice chairman of the Toronto Maple Leafs elected
- Ken Nicol, Liberal, former leader of the Opposition and Liberal leader in Alberta - defeated
[edit] Past elections
Star candidates in past elections include:
- Brian Tobin, Liberal, 2000, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador (making his return to federal politics after leaving in 1996) elected
- Greg Malone, NDP, 2000, comedian best known from Codco - defeated
- Lewis MacKenzie, PC, 1997, retired general famous for his work as a peacekeeper - defeated
- Stéphane Dion, Liberal, 1996 by-election, academic - elected
- Pierre Pettigrew, Liberal, 1996 by-election, academic and public servant - elected
- Howard Pawley, NDP, 1988, former Premier of Manitoba - defeated
- Dave Barrett, NDP, 1988, former Premier of British Columbia - elected
- Gérard Pelletier, Liberal, 1965, journalist - elected
- Jean Marchand, Liberal, 1965, labour leader - elected
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