Blaikie to run in provincial by-election

Veteran New Democrat Bill Blaikie will run for a seat in the Manitoba legislature in a by-election expected to be called this spring.

Blaikie was unopposed at the NDP nomination Sunday for the provincial riding of Transcona.

Earlier this week Ed Innes and Darryl Livingstone, the two other candidates running against him, dropped out.

Blaikie served as the federal MP for Elmwood-Transcona from 1979 to 2008, but did not seek re-election.  He announced his decision to seek a provincial nomination on Dec.5.

He told CTV News he decided to leave federal politics to be closer to his family in Winnipeg.

Premier Gary Doer congratulated Blaikie, saying it will be an honour to work with him.

Blaikie said he is looking forward to the by-election to replace Jim Maloway, who ran successfully for the NDP in Blaikie's old federal riding.

The date for the by-election has yet to be set.  A second seat is also vacant in the provincial riding of The Pas, following the death of MLA Oscar Lathlin.

With files from the Canadian Press