Last week, former Prince Edward Island cabinet minister Robert Morrisey and former Balfour Moss LLP partner Garry Oledzki stepped down as federal Liberal election candidates. But they're not the only Grit hopefuls who have tendered their resignations. In British Columbia, Skeena-Bulkely Valley and Pitt Meadows-Maple Ridge-Mission candidates Corinna Morhart and Rani Bellwood resigned last year. While Okanagan-Shuswap and Langley candidates Buffy Baumbrough and Jake Gray resigned on June 13 and July 14, 2008 respectively.

Asked for comment, British Columbia campaign co-chair Bruce Young explained, "There remains a very keen interest in Liberal nominations throughout the province - and not just in some of the traditional areas of strength. But the challenge facing us and all political parties in a universe that's coming very close to an 18 month to two year pre-writ period is that some folks - by virtue of employment, opportunities or other electoral considerations - have to make tough decisions. And this is part of the normal churn in national politics."

Continued Mr. Young, "We're looking forward to having the strongest slate of candidates that we've ever mounted running for the Liberal Party of Canada in the next election. And what is particularly heartening with these individuals - who weren't, unfortunately, able to continue into their role as candidates - is that there will be strong people replacing them, carrying the Liberal banner. And all of them, to a person, will remain active - where possible and where they're allowed to in their spare and free time - supporting the Liberal Party of Canada and Stephane Dion."