Former NDPer nominated as Liberal candidate in northern Manitoba riding

THE PAS, Man. — There has been a surprise change of political stripes in Manitoba politics.

Tyler Duncan, a young aboriginal leader from the northern community of Norway House, resigned from the executive of the provincial New Democrats on Tuesday afternoon and minutes later, announced he was running as a Liberal candidate in the April 19 election.

It was a sudden shift from a party that has been in power for 16 years to the third-place Liberals, who have just one legislature seat.

"I see that the existing government might be aging out, there's some opportunity for change," said Duncan, who will carry the Liberal banner in The Pas.

"I've seen federally that the Liberals have really delivered for my people — their commitment and what they're already doing so early in their term. It's inspired me ... and I'm ready to join the team provincially and see what we can do to make a difference for First Nations people in Manitoba."

Duncan ran unsuccessfully for NDP president last March, at the age of 19, and was later elected as a member at large.

Duncan has worked as a youth chief for the Norway House Cree Nation and as youth chief for the group that represents First Nations across northern Manitoba.

He is also connected to a controversial New Democrat nomination race two weeks after he ran for party president.

His grandmother and former Norway House councillor, Florence Duncan, lost a bid to run for the NDP in a byelection in The Pas.

She received the same number of votes as Amanda Lathlin in the party's nomination race, and under NDP rules, a coin was tossed to decide the winner.

Lathlin won the coin toss and later won the byelection over Tory and Liberal opponents.

Some party members in The Pas were upset that the matter was decided by a flip of a coin. But Duncan said that was not why he changed parties.

"That coin-toss was not at all a deal-breaker. I wouldn't make such a high-level decision over something like that."

Duncan said he hopes his friendships with his former NDP colleagues won't be affected.

The Liberals have been in the political wilderness in Manitoba for years, but opinion polls over the past year have suggested they have surged to well over 20 per cent support.

"I see the politics going Liberal, and Liberals are willing to make a difference. I want to make a difference and so, you know what, let's try it. I'll run Liberal and try and do what I can for my people."

The Canadian Press