Martin courts B.C. as campaign winds down

Last Updated: Sunday, January 22, 2006 | 10:11 PM ET

CBC News

Voters in British Columbia can make a "critical difference" in stopping Conservative Leader Stephen Harper from winning Monday's federal election, Liberal Leader Paul Martin said.

During a stop in Richmond, B.C., on Sunday, he said while the Liberals are doing well in Ontario and Atlantic Canada, it's a three-way fight in British Columbia between his party, the Conservatives and the New Democrats.

If "progressive voters" choose NDP, they could give Harper a victory. Speaking in French, he urged voters in Quebec to switch support from the Bloc Québécois, because "they will only have one obsession: to start another referendum process."

Liberal Leader Paul Martin greets supporters during a rally in Richmond, B.C. on Sunday. (CP Photo)

"Voting for Jack Layton might make a point, but it won't make a difference," he said.

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Sending a few more NDP members to Parliament will be "small comfort," he said, for Canadians who will be affected by Conservative policies.

Martin also alleged that "for the past month, Mr. Harper has had to keep most of his Conservative members in hiding" – along with their "right-wing agenda."

"Maybe they're all tucked away in a safe house biding their time," he joked.