Much pressing of the flesh last night at The Fairmont Empress's swish Crystal Ballroom, where federal Conservative caucus members schmoozed with the local party rifraf. In addition to giving opinions on Newmarket-Auora MP Belinda Stronach's fashion choices, our spies at the event noted longtime operative Byng Giraud and his followers were spotted passing out buttons and brochures in support of his bid to become one of the party's two national councillors from British Columbia.

His campaign is being co-chaired by retiring Conservative House Leader John Reynolds, the Tory's campaign chair for the next election, and endorsed by Senator Gerry St. Germain. Mr. Giraud, currently a senior project consultant with Partnerships British Columbia, worked as Mr. Reynold's ministerial assistant when he was the Socred's environment minister. He was also the Progressive Conservative's British Columbia campaign manager in 1997 and did the same job for the Canadian Alliance's campaign in 2000.

Following the festivities, those with more stamina continued carousing at the nearby Sticky Wicket Pub and Restaurant.