Globe and Mail: "Arar's wife planning NDP run?"

[Minstrel Boy]

Ottawa — The indefatigable wife of Maher Arar, the Syrian-born immigrant who was deported by American authorities to face imprisonment and torture in his homeland, says she is considering offers to run for the federal Liberals and New Democrats in an election that could come within weeks.

But Tuesday proved too soon for Monia Mazigh, whose relentless campaigning led to her husband's dramatic release from a Syrian prison, to announce her decision.

The NDP was hoping to announce Ms. Mazigh's bid for a candidacy at a news conference on Parliament Hill but the announcement was put off because Ms. Mazigh hadn't made up her mind, sources told The Canadian Press.

Ms. Mazigh said in an interview that she will decide whether she will run and for which party within the next few weeks. She said it will be a family decision, made in concert with her husband.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20040210.warar0210_2/BNStory/National/

Ms Mazigh is a remarkable, learned woman, and would be a great asset to Parliament. Hopefully, sez me, on the NDP benches. It's understandable, and true to form, that the Liberals want her now, though they were negligent for a year with regard to her husband's abduction and imprisonment. It was the NDP which championed the Arar case, and pressed for an inquiry.

[Screaming Lord Byron]

1. Did I hear that we jumped the gun on this one?

Hope that doesn't put her off, she'd be a fine addition.

[Minstrel Boy]

2. Dunno what happened there.

Layton said it's up to the candidate to announce, but I can imagine the riding association being over-eager to get it on the record. Just have to keep our fingers crossed on this one.

I read that if she runs, it will be in the Ottawa area. The Liberals can entice her with John Manley's vacant riding and, let's be frank, a greater likelihood of being elected, given their dominance in the capital region. But Arar would be a strong candidate for us in the right riding, and undoubtedly has affinity for the NDP after the work the party did on behalf of her husband.

[Screaming Lord Byron]

3. It would lead to an Ottawa strategy for the party

with two high-profile candidates in Centre and South, which would bring in a lot of media coverage. Such a strategy would bring great dividends, increasing the focus on Broadbent and Mazigh / Arar. Of course, if her husband's case hits difficulties, it could backfire, but the risks are worth the gain. Fingers crossed on this one.

[sybylla]

4. That would be impressive to see

Not being a Canadian I have to ask, can she do it? By that I mean win, be effective, be respected?

[Minstrel Boy]

5. She's made quite an impression, and is

very well-spoken and highly educated. So I'd say yes to all three: she can win, be effective and respected. Though I'd say, given the voting history of the Ottawa region, she has a better chance of winning if she runs as a Liberal. However, I think she'd be more effective serving as an NDP member and a critic of the government, than sitting as a trophy Liberal backbencher.