Aboriginal entertainer St. Germain to run for Liberals
Last Updated: Thursday, December 8, 2005 | 12:40 PM ET
CBC News
St. Germain, a member of the Aboriginal Order of Canada, hosted several television series over his decades-long career and currently works for the aboriginal-focused NCI radio station.
He was acclaimed on Wednesday night as the Liberal candidate for Winnipeg Centre.
A St. Germain win would be considered an upset, as NDP incumbent Pat Martin has easily defeated high-profile Liberal candidates in the last two federal elections.
Ray St. Germain
Martin earned a third term in the 2004 election, defeating well-known Liberal David Northcott, who formerly ran the Winnipeg Harvest food bank, by more than 2,800 votes.
In his nomination speech, St. Germain suggested he may lean on his Métis heritage in marketing himself to voters. About 10 per cent of the riding's population is aboriginal.
"I am proud of the Liberal government's commitment towards the elimination of aboriginal poverty and the creation of greater opportunities for First Nations people, Métis and Inuit, in education, employment, housing, clean and safe water, and health care," he said.
"Though I am new to politics ... with your help and support, I will focus my efforts to bettering the lives of all the people in the Winnipeg Centre riding."
In addition to Martin, St. Germain faces competition from Helen Sterzer for the Conservatives and Gary Gervais for the Green party.
