Skeena-Bulkley Valley MP Nathan Cullen was in Prince George, Tuesday, rallying support for his bid for the national NDP leadership.
Cullen is running against Niki Ashton, Paul Dewar, Thomas Mulcair, Peggy Nash, Romeo Saganash, Martin Singh and Brian Topp to fill the position left vacant by Jack Layton's death on Aug. 22. Layton led the NDP from 2003 until his death. He led the party to its strongest showing ever in the 2011 election - winning 103 seats and the title of Official Opposition.
"I don't pretend to be Jack. I have to be my own person," Cullen said. "I'm a community builder. A small business person, who cares about the environment. If NDP members care about that, then we'll be okay."
Cullen was born and raised in Toronto, but now lives in Smithers where he was a human resources consultant prior to entering politics. Cullen defeated Conservative MP Andy Burton in 2004 and was reelected in 2006, 2008 and 2011.
Cullen said being from northwest B.C. hasn't been a major disadvantage for him during the leadership race, which will come to a conclusion on March 24.
"Geography has changed ... it doesn't matter as much where people are from, as long as they're good people," he said."I find the best comfort is when we talk about common cause."
Cullen said across Canada he's heard from NDP members and average Canadians who are interested in, "progressive politics,"
"I can't believe how much [the Enbridge Northern Gateway Pipeline Project] comes up, all over the country," Cullen said.
Cullen said he's prepared to work with other parties, including the Liberals and Greens, to defeat the Conservatives - something not all leadership candidates have supported.
"We're proposing to do politics differently," he said.
Former Prince George-Peace River NDP candidate Lois Boone has thrown her support behind Cullen's campaign. Boone was an B.C. NDP MLA from 1986 to 2001 and served as a trustee of the Prince George School District from
"I've known Nathan for seven-eight years. I've always been impressed with his commitment to social justice issues and the environment," Boone said. "Nathan has the ability to engage people."
Boone said Cullen is from Northern B.C. and is the only leadership candidate from the West.
"I think the average New Democrat will look for someone who can engage them, and that's Nathan," Boone said. "He attacks things in a manner that people understand. He's impressing people because he has common sense."
Cullen has served as the environment and natural resources critic and currently chairs the House of Commons ethics committee.
Nathan lives in Smithers, with his wife Diana, and twin sons, Isaac and Elliot.
