LINDSAY - Lyn Edwards has been chosen as the NDP candidate for the March 5 byelection in Haliburton-Kawartha Lakes-Brock.

The president of the local Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) that represents many municipal works captured the nomination at the Lindsay Inn on on Lindsay Street South on Sunday afternoon.

Edwards, 47, beat out Lynne Boldt, a member of the anti-amalgamation movement Voices of Central Ontario (VOCO), and Stephen Wood, a Haliburton County high school teacher.

"I look forward to earning the support of the people of Haliburton-Kawartha

Lakes-Brock," Edwards, a mother of four who has lived in the riding

for more than two decades and previously served as head of the local labour

council, stated in a press release.

"Voters here have a chance to send John Tory a message that he can't take them for

granted and expect a one-way ticket to Queen's Park. Voters here also have a chance

to send Dalton McGuinty a message that what he's doing just isn't good enough.

Voters can deliver that message loud and clear by voting NDP."

More than 100 attended the meeting, where party leader Howard Hampton was the guest speaker.

Edwards will immediately hit the campaign trail and criss-cross the sprawling riding

over the next three-and-a-half weeks, the release stated.

"The NDP has always put main street needs ahead of Bay Street greed. And whether

it's the main street in Lindsay, or Haliburton, or Bobcaygeon, or Fenelon Falls, or

Minden, or Beaverton - in every town, village and hamlet across this riding - I'll

be there to deliver our message," Edwards stated.