Manitoba Liberal making tracks in election snowshoes
Last Updated: Tuesday, January 10, 2006 | 1:08 PM ET
CBC News
Bruce Benson arrived Monday afternoon at the Peguis First Nation, about 190 kilometres north of Winnipeg. He says getting around the riding on snowshoes is his way of showing respect to the aboriginal culture.
He hopes it encourages the people here to vote in the federal election.
- RIDING PROFILE: Selkirk-Interlake
Voter turnout at Peguis was extremely low in the last election. Benson said just 20 per cent of eligible voters cast ballots in 2004.
Benson believes his unique campaigning approach echoes his political beliefs.
"It's more of a grassroots approach, which reflects my political philosophy, which is that we are a top-down government right now, and we need to be coming from the grassroots up," he said.
Benson says response from locals has been impressive and that he's been garnering a lot of attention along the way.
His next stop is Ashern, Man., which he hopes he'll reach, travelling on foot, in three days.
Benson is up against Conservative incumbent James Bezan, star NDP candidate Ed Schreyer, the Green party's Thomas Goodman, Anthony Barendregt for the Christian Heritage party and Independent Duncan Geisler.
