Old rivals poised to battle for Lib spot?

By Dan Hilborn
Published Jan. 10,2004


Two federal Liberal rivals who have squared off in the past appear poised to vie against each other again in the newly created riding of Burnaby-New Westminster.

Mary Pynenburg, the director of planning for the City of New Westminster, quietly began campaigning for the post about a month ago when she launched a website and began distributing campaign information.

Her biggest challenge is expected to come from the previous candidate in the riding, 18-year veteran Burnaby Coun. Lee Rankin, who is currently assessing his support before formally opening the race.

"I'll probably have something to say in the next week or two," said Rankin, a former NDP member who left that party in 1999, soon after the North Burnaby Inn casino scandal prompted the resignation of former B.C. premier Glen Clark.

"We're in discussion with many supporters throughout South Burnaby and the western part of New Westminster," he said.

"We're getting strong encouragement from individuals and supporters all across the riding and we're considering it."

If the pair do square off, the new riding could see a repeat of the acrimonious nomination battle when Rankin defeated Pynenburg for the Liberal nod prior to the November 2000 election.

In the first salvo of the campaign, Pynenburg has received endorsements from former Burnaby city councillors Barbara Der and Gary Begin, plus former TEAM Burnaby council candidate Nancy Harris.