On recruits

Over the last little while, the federal NDP has added plenty of interesting candidates in Quebec. But LeDroit reports on what looks to be a watershed moment in the party's candidate recruitment efforts, as former Liberal MP Francoise Boivin may soon announce her intention to run for the NDP in Gatineau.

Let's take a moment to note why the story is particularly significant. For all the NDP's success in finding star candidates in Quebec and elsewhere, those have normally consisted of new recruits into federal politics rather than former partisans from other parties (and in particular ones with a track record of electoral success) who have been persuaded to switch their affiliation.

Boivin, however, would make for a break from that pattern. In addition to having the name recognition within Gatineau that comes from having been a former MP (and having won 30+% of the vote even in defeat in 2006), she would set a precedent of a successful Lib publicly declaring that the NDP is better able to help Canada's progressive cause. And that would hopefully help to build momentum for others to similarly shift their allegiances.

We'll find out in the next week whether or not Boivin will complete the jump to the NDP. But either way, it's clear that the NDP is more than appealing enough to make at least one federal Lib standard-bearer take a serious look at joining its ranks. And that can only encourage voters to do the same when the next election comes around.