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Fry drops out and Wilson supports Ignatieff

Liberal MPs start to endorse leadership candidates as party prepares for convention

Vancouver Centre MP Hedy Fry announced the end of her candidacy for leadership of the Liberal Party today and threw her support behind Bob Rae.

Fry, who had been a long shot, is the second B.C. Liberal MP to announce her support for Rae. Ujjal Dosanjh had previously announced his support of Rae.

Last week West Vancouver-Garibaldi-Sea to Sky MP Blair Wilson announced he was backing Michael Ignatieff in the leadership race. Wilson joined B.C. Liberal MPs Sukh Dhaliwal, Keith Martin and Stephen Owen in supporting Ignatieff.

Wilson, chair of the B.C. Liberal caucus, said of Ignatieff: “Michael is a bold leader with a firm grasp on the challenges facing Canada, and those that are unique to the most western province. He understands the important policy issues facing our communities and he has the political will to make a real difference.”

At a press conference in Ottawa, Fry said: “It has become clear that I lack the resources to continue.”

Fry was the only Western Canadian among the 11 original candidates for the Liberal Party leadership. She is the third candidate to drop out of the race and joins Carolyn Bennett and Maurizio Bevilacqua, both Toronto-area MPs, in backing former Ontario NDP premier Rae.

Rae, Ignatieff and Stéphane Dion are considered the frontrunners for the leadership of the Liberal Party. The party will hold its leadership convention in Montreal Nov. 29-Dec. 3.