A recent round of letters from Burnaby Mayor Derek Corrigan endorsing NDP candidate Carol Baird Ellan has one local voter raising her eyebrows.
Trinity Bissett, a resident in the Burnaby North-Seymour riding, received a letter in the mail from Derek Corrigan encouraging her to vote for Baird Ellan.
“I thought it odd, and I was surprised he would use his influence to sway the vote. I’ve never been lobbied by another politician to vote federally,” she said. “I think it’s inappropriate to use his influence that way. He should let people stand on their own and vote the way they want. I understand some people can support other people, but he shouldn’t be using his political office to do that. … He signed it as ‘mayor of Burnaby.’ I was just surprised by that. I was taken aback. He shouldn’t use his political station to push his favourite candidate into the limelight.”
Baird Ellan’s office sent the letters to voters they identified that may be swayed by Corrigan’s endorsement, and the letters were authorized by Baird Ellan’s official agent.
“The BCA (Burnaby Citizens’ Association) is traditionally supportive of the NDP and vice versa, and basically he and I agreed I would be the candidate in the riding,” Baird Ellan said. “He endorsed my campaign from the outset. … He recruited me and was happy to have me in the riding.”
Baird Ellan said the letter was an endorsement like any other in an election campaign.
“Harper and the Fords?” she said laughing. “Doug and Rob Ford have endorsed Stephen Harper.”
Corrigan said he didn’t write the letter but he approved it and endorsed Baird Ellan because he thinks she’s a great candidate.
“When she came in and she was going to run, I was thrilled. This is exactly the kind of candidate we need,” he said. “People are demanding candidates with integrity and vision, and you get one. I think she’s tremendous.”
Corrigan has known Baird Ellan for decades, since they were in law school together.
I have a right to my opinion, the same as anyone else does,” he said. “I am well-known New Democrat. I’ve never hidden where I come from.”
“Everyone must know I am not a fan of the Conservative government, and I want to see a change,” he added. “She’s from North Vancouver, but she’s not well-known in Burnaby.”
