Jody Wilson-Raybould, B.C. aboriginal leader, to run for Liberals in Vancouver
Regional chief co-chaired federal party's biennial convention in Montreal
Assembly of First Nations British Columbia regional chief Jody Wilson-Raybould is about to become the latest addition to the 2015 federal Liberal campaign roster.
On Thursday night, Wilson-Raybould will be acclaimed as the party's candidate at the nomination meeting for the newly created riding of Vancouver–Granville — a pro forma event, as she's the only one on the ballot.
Wilson-Raybould has been a fixture on the Liberal pre-campaign circuit since announcing her intention to run the party earlier this year.
She co-chaired the biennial policy conference in Montreal last February.
On July 16, she appeared at a party-organized panel on indigenous women and politics in Halifax, alongside Liberal aboriginal affairs critic Carolyn Bennett and National Women's Association of Canada president Michele Audette, who met with Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau in May to discuss running for the nomination in the Northern Quebec riding of Manicouagan.
Even before her nomination was made official, Gerry Butts, senior adviser to Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau, took to Twitter to express his delight on Wednesday evening.
"So excited to get the chance to work with Jody Wilson-Raybould .... Amazing addition to #TeamTrudeau."
Klahoose First Nation chief councillor James Delorme also tweeted his approval.
"We are very proud of you, Chief Jody."