OTTAWA — Manitoba MP Inky Mark could round out the Canadian Alliance’s dissident dozen with a decision next week on whether to abandon the caucus and leader Stockwell Day.
Mark’s colleague, MP Brian Fitzpatrick, chose to fly the coop Wednesday by calling on Day to resign — the 11th MP to do so.
Parliamentary guidelines stipulate that in order to apply for official party status, a group must have 12 members and fulfill some basic conditions — like having a leader and whip.
Mark said he isn’t focusing on the fact that he would make number 12. He said he’s waiting for feedback from two dozen members of his riding board about whether they support a referendum on Day’s leadership and will take his direction from that.
“It doesn’t matter what number it is,” Mark said in an interview.
“It’s only a number. To me, if the constituents see it’s in the best interest of the party in the long term, then that’s what needs to be done.”
