Seems like a "fixed date" to me?

Elizabeth seems to support Bill Casey?
Any possibility she is looking for an independant
member to turn green? I suspect Casey is smarter than that.

Surprising supporters flocking to Bill Casey
Danny Williams, Rodney MacDonald and the Greens all pledging support
By MARY ELLEN MacINTYRE Chronicle Herald
Sat. Sep 6 - 5:06 PM

Bill Casey, the long-time Conservative and now independent MP for Cumberland Colchester, was setting up his campaign headquarters in Truro on Friday, in anticipation of an election call by Prime Minister Stephen Harper.        

Politicians from inside and outside the province are lining up to support the Nova Scotia MP who voted against his own government last year.

Bill Casey says he's surprised to win the endorsement of Elizabeth May, leader of the Green Party of Canada.

"I'm very pleased to hear Ms. May has endorsed me, but I am going to run in the next election as an independent," Bill Casey said during an interview at his campaign headquarters in Truro.

"I have been involved with a lot of environmental issues in my constituency and I'm proud of my involvement. But that's what it's all about: If there's something wrong, you have to fight to correct it."

Support has also come Mr. Casey's way from points east. A spokesman for Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Danny Williams said Friday that the premier would help the MP if asked.

"The premier has spoken directly to Bill Casey and has told him that he has his full support," Elizabeth Matthews, director of communications for Mr. Williams, said in an e-mail.

"Mr. Casey represents the kind of principled man of integrity who deserves to be elected in contrast to the federal Conservatives. Mr. Casey likely does not need assistance in campaigning, but if he asked the premier to assist he would certainly happily do so if his schedule permitted."

Also on Friday, Nova Scotia Premier Rodney MacDonald said he supports Prime Minister Stephen Harper and the federal Conservatives but will not be campaigning in Mr. Casey's riding out of respect for the MP.

Ms. May said Thursday that her party would not run a candidate in Cumberland-Colchester-Musquodoboit Valley. "I think Bill Casey is as Green as they come," she said. "He's an honorary Green anyway, because he's the kind of representative the people of Nova Scotia need to fight against Stephen Harper."

Mr. Casey has represented his riding since 1988, except for 1993 to 1997, when Liberal Dianne Brushett held the seat.

He shocked voters and onlookers last year when he voted against his own party's budget.

Believing the federal budget broke the Atlantic accords signed with this province and Newfoundland, Mr. Casey said he voted with his conscience. He was then kicked out of the Conservative caucus.

The Green party's decision not to compete against Mr. Casey follows a deal Ms. May struck with the Liberals in her own riding.

Liberal Leader Stephane Dion travelled to Stellarton early last year to announce his party would not field a candidate in the Central Nova riding because he wants Ms. May to get elected.

Mr. Casey said he's a little nervous about running without the help of big political machinery and funding.

"This is really uncharted waters for me and I'll admit to being nervous, but I'm lucky I've got a track record," he said. "You have to have money to run an election . . . but I've got a lot of my old constituents behind me and a lot of new people, too."

The Liberal candidate in Cumberland-Colchester-Musquodoboit Valley is Tracy Parsons. The Conservatives have yet to announce a candidate.

With Devin Stevens

( mmacintyre@herald.ca)

'Mr. Casey represents the kind of principled man of integrity who deserves to be elected in contrast to the federal Conservatives.'
elizabeth matthewsSpokeswoman for Newfoundland Tory Premier Danny Williams