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Chong to carry Tory banner Despite his high-profile defection from said he expects to represent the party again the Prime Minister Stephen Harper's cabinet last next time "as far as I know." Bouteiller is under no illusion about the November, Wellington-Halton Hills MP Michael Chong reaffirmed recently his inten- party's chances in Wellington-Halton Hills. tion to seek re-election for the Tories. "Mike's a good guy and I know he's well"I am planning on running again for my liked," he said of the current MP. "Our objecparty," the 35-year-old said with a laugh after tive is to increase our vote count and that's what we're planning. It would be being told some local politicos were wonderful to unseat the incumbent, wondering whether he would continue to fly the Conservative flag. but we're not expecting to do that." This can only be bad news for anyIn the NDP camp, former candione else on the ballot. date Noel Duignan, who finished third last year with about 12 per cent While Chong has proven very popof ballots cast, confirmed he has filed ular with his constituents-- taking 50 his nomination papers but is not per cent of the votes cast in the 2006 aware of anyone else considering election-- it is difficult even to find members of other parties with an ill challenging him. Duignan is not concerned about word to say about him. MICHAEL Chong's popularity with local voters. "I think he's a very dedicated CHONG young man who takes the job serious"Mike is very popular, but people are very fickle and things can change ly," said former Liberal candidate Rod Finnie, who finished a distant second in last during an election campaign," he said. year's contest. "I think he's going to be difficult Representatives of all parties, including the Tories, agreed Chong's departure from cabinet to defeat." Mike Fich, president of the Wellington- scored him points locally. Halton Hills Liberal riding association, said "That has helped us big time," said Peter there has been speculation among local Jonkman, president of the Wellington-Halton Liberals that Chong might not run again after Hills federal Conservative riding association. he resigned his cabinet post four months ago "We've had a lot of people calling saying they over his government's position on Quebec voted Liberal last time but now they're supporting Mike." nationhood. "Some of the people considering running for Chong doesn't quarrel with this reality, but us are waiting to see whether he's running stressed yesterday he did not leave cabinet to again," Fich admitted. "Mike is a formidable can- boost his own chances of re-election. "It was always about the best interest of the didate. If he runs we'll have an uphill battle. We have a better chance if he's not running again. community I represent and the country . . . we Brent Bouteiller, who collected about six per all live in," the MP said. cent of the votes for the Green party last year, --Torstar News Service