Manitoba election: Rana Bokhari grilled about Liberal Party controversies

After a tough couple of weeks on the campaign trail, Liberal Leader Rana Bokhari made her election pitch on Wednesday to business leaders at a Manitoba Chambers of Commerce breakfast.

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But when meeting with reporters following her address, Bokhari was reeled back into talking about the controversies plaguing her party.

She was asked about an email sent out Tuesday by communications director Mike Brown, which named CBC and appears to warn other Liberals against making negative comments about the liberal leader. The party has insisted the email was not sent out in error and Bokhari repeated that on Wednesday.

Bokhari said the email was sent in order to be fully transparent with media.

RAW: Rana Bokhari grilled about Liberal Party controversies

9 years ago

Duration 3:07

After a tough couple of weeks on the campaign trail, Liberal Leader Rana Bokhari made her election pitch on Wednesday to business leaders at a Manitoba Chambers of Commerce breakfast. But when meeting with reporters following her address, Bokhari was reeled back into talking about the controversies plaguing her party.

• Bob Axworthy, former Manitoba Liberal leadership hopeful, 'disheartened' by campaign gaffes

"Hundred per cent meant for everyone, and if it was to happen again, we'd send the same one out," she said.

Bokhari was also asked about the party being unable to field a full slate of candidates after losing several, either due to  disqualification by Elections Manitoba or because of controversy.

Each time she skirted answering by saying Manitobans don't care about those things.

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"These are issues that Manitobans are not focusing on right now. Right now Manitobans care about themselves, they care about their own lives, as they should," Bokhari said.

"So these petty kind of political issues don't reflect the needs and wants of Manitobans. This is an election about change. This is an election about what Manitobans need."

"They're struggling right now and I think we need to start really focusing on policies."

During her address, Bokhari was asked by Manitoba Chambers of Commerce president and CEO Chuck Davidson how she is finding the experience of her first campaign as a party leader.

"Can I just smile?" she asked. "I'm enjoying the process. Can I leave it at that?"

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Bokhari responds to Axworthy's comments

Asked about comments made Tuesday by Bob Axworthy, who ran against her for the party leadership in 2013, Bokhari said he hasn't been part of this campaign.

Axworthy had called the Liberal campaign disheartening and disorganized.

"He doesn't know the internal workings of this party. He doesn't have any insight. And that's the end," Bokhari said.

"There are more important issues that Manitobans are concerned about."