The candidate she preferred fell short of winning the party's leadership, but Thomas Mulcair was one of her top choices, prominent Prince George New Democrat Lois Boone said Monday.
"I would've been ecstatic had they chosen Nathan Cullen, who of course is from our neighbouring constituency and somebody I have a huge amount of respect for and have known for a long time," Boone said.
"However, I was also very impressed with Mr. Mulcair when he came through here, so I have absolutely no problem supporting him as leader. I think he will do an outstanding job."
Cullen had the energy and charisma, but as the MP for Skeena-Bulkley Valley, one of Canada's westernmost constituencies, geography did not work in his favour particularly with the NDP seeking to build on the gains it made in Quebec during the last federal election.
Mulcair, in contrast, had all the advantages of location combined with the fact that he's a sitting MP, in contrast to runner-up, party insider Brian Topp. Boone believes Mulcair can add to what was accomplished under previous leader Jack Layton before he succumbed to cancer.
"I think he'll be able to hold on to that support there," Boone said of Mulcair and Quebec. "I think that support also goes on into the Maritime provinces - I know he was supported by some of our MPs there - and I do believe he has the ability to make those connections with the young people.
"And I think that's important in terms of making gains in the next election. We have to connect with youth, we have to make sure that they feel a part of the system."
Although Cullen fell short of his goal, he did get his name out beyond northern B.C. and established a good impression in Boone's opinion.
"He achieved a huge success in terms of making people aware of him and aware of his issues and I think that by doing so he will command a lot more attention in the House of Commons than he has in the past," Boone said. "I think people will be listening to him."
University of Northern British Columbia political science professor Jason Morris said Cullen's bold move should boost his stature.
"Sometimes people in a leadership race run, not to win, but to establish themselves as heavy hitters in the party, and Nathan wound up being in a position where many hoped he would win," Morris said. "But now he's certainly not just a lead NDP Member of Parliament from British Columbia, he's considered one of the leading lights in the party for the country as a whole."
But whether that will translate into significant benefits for northern B.C. is doubtful, Morris said, because the Conservatives continue to have a majority in the House and therefore control the purse strings.
If Bob Rae is confirmed as the Liberal leader, it will mean a former Liberal now leads the NDP and a former New Democrat will lead the Grits, Boone noted.
"That's a positive thing, because it means we'll be able to move forward on a progressive agenda and make sure that Canadians' voices are heard in the House of Commons and that's important," Boone said.
