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Suzuki gives big boost to Liberal leadership hopeful Joyce Murray

By: The Canadian Press

Thursday, Feb. 21, 2013 at 3:00 PM | Comments: 0

Environmentalist David Suzuki speaks at the Clean Energy B.C. annual conference in Vancouver, B.C., on Monday October 29, 2012. Suzuki is throwing his high-profile weight behind Joyce Murray's bid to become leader of the federal Liberal party.The THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

OTTAWA - Environmental crusader David Suzuki is throwing his high-profile weight behind Joyce Murray's bid to become leader of the federal Liberal party.

The well-known scientist, environmentalist and broadcaster says he's endorsing Murray because of what he calls her coherent vision of Canada as a sustainable society.

He also agrees with the Vancouver MP's proposal for one-time co-operation among Liberals, New Democrats and Greens in 2015 in order to defeat the Harper Conservatives and implement electoral reform.

Suzuki is urging all progressive voters to back Murray, noting that the Liberal party has made it possible for anyone — not just card-carrying, dues-paying members — to participate in the selection of its next leader.

Suzuki has 238,000 Facebook followers, a huge pool of potential supporters for Murray to tap into.

Her dark horse campaign appears to have been gaining momentum over the last couple of weeks with support from online and grassroots advocacy groups that favour electoral co-operation.

Murray, a former British Columbia environment minister, is the only one of nine leadership contenders to support that co-operation.

"I urge everyone who is concerned about democracy, the environment and social justice to take part in this (leadership) selection process and thereby register support for specific policies and visions for this country," Suzuki said in an open letter to Canadians.

"For me, Joyce Murray presents a platform that I am going to support. If you agree, I hope you will give her your support too."

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