From Layton to Liberal: Past northern grand chief seeking seat

The first man to announce his intentions to unseat long-running northern MP Rob Clarke says his loyalty is to people, not party politics.

Lawrence Joseph is no stranger to the campaign trail. The former Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations leader ran against Desnethe-Missinipe Churchill River MP Rob Clarke in 2011.

While Joseph ran with the NDP in 2011, he’s since put his weight behind the Liberal Party.

“Personally I’m not one of those guys that says, ‘my father was Conservative, I’m going to be conservative.’ It’s not like that, it certainly shouldn’t be like that. Certainly my purpose is to represent people which I’ve always done,” Joseph said to a small group of people in his home on Friday.

He explained he’s only become partisan in recent years.

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Joseph invited people over as he declared he’ll be seeking the Liberal nomination in the same riding as 2011, Desnethe Missinipi Churchill River.

The announcement started with a prayer and introduced numerous supporters. Jokingly, Joseph said Big River First Nation Chief Bruce Morin, his wife, children, his bishop, and grandchildren were among the group of the most attractive people he could gather.

Joseph explained the late Jack Layton drew him to the NDP.

“[He] actually took the time to talk to me, to visit me, to phone me on a regular basis… He had the charisma and also the commitment to actually work with me, and also my family, the first nations people, and all the people in the north.”

Since his last election campaign Joseph remains critical of the Conservative government under Stephen Harper.

This includes several Parliament prorogations and omnibus bills.

Joseph added it seems the federal government largely muffles the voices of its MPs. He said the Cons are adept at dividing people against people.

As for the current MP for the northern riding, Joseph said Clarke has treated him differently ever since the 2011 election.

“Since I ran in the NDP he has not talked to me once… I don’t want to say anything negative but he has not been able to talk to me. He’s taken it personal.”

Why go Liberal?

Joseph’s displeasure with the Cons combined with many calls from people within the riding asking him to run again have led to his desire to return to politics, he said.

However, the current NDP leader doesn’t appeal to Joseph.

“I’m telling you today that Mr. Tom Mulcair, with all due respect to him, is no Jack Layton.”

While Mulcair’s visits to northern Saskatchewan are rare according to Joseph, the Liberal leader Justin Trudeau has impressed him.

“He is similar to the late Jack Layton… He takes a personal interest in what people say and do. And to that end he’s been here to listen to the chiefs in the Prince Albert Grand Council,” Joseph said.

He cited Trudeau’s interest in the north, young people, and “the star power to actually make some changes” for the positive as large reasons to go Liberal red instead of NDP orange.

Additionally, Joseph is confident the Liberals will form government after the next federal election.

Joseph took 44.3 per cent of the vote, losing by less than 800 ballots in 2011.

There will likely be people running against Joseph for the Liberal candidacy according to what he’s heard through the grapevine.

However, Joseph said he would make a strong representative.

“I’m not a quiet person, and if people think I’m going to be muscled as an MP if I ever become an MP that’s not going to happen.”

Joseph anticipates the federal Liberals will choose their Desnethe-Missinipe Churchill River candidate by the end of January.

The next federal election is tentatively scheduled for Oct. 19, 2015.

claskowski@panow.com

On Twitter: @chelsealaskowsk