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Skeena NDP MLA undecided on leadership favourite

SKEENA NDP MLA Robin Austin says he doesn't yet know who he will support for the leadership of his party.

SKEENA NDP MLA Robin Austin says he doesn't yet know who he will support for the leadership of his party.

Austin was one of a group of NDP MLAs who opposed Carole James, the previous leader, and ultimately caused her to resign.

“It's early days still, and I'd like to see something more substantive from each of the leadership candidates on what their priorities would be, and I think that'll come out in the next few weeks,” said Austin this week.

“I also want to, of course, choose somebody who speaks to the issues who speaks to the issues that concern northern B.C.,” he said.

The NDP caucus last week chose New Westminster MLA Dawn Black to be the interim leader until the party's leadership convention takes place this spring.

Issues like mining, forestry, economic renewal and how to deliver services to remote communities top Austin's agenda when examining leadership candidates.

“Those are the issues that I think are really important, and once I seen what those candidates say with regards to those issues,  then I'll come to some conclusion and then decide which one I want to support,” he said.

Sitting MLAs Adrian Dix, Mike Farnworth, John Horgan, Harry Lali and Nicholas Simons are running. A sixth candidate, Dana Larsen, is not an MLA.