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The path is now clear for Winnipeg Mayor Glen Murray to make a run for the federal Liberals.

He said at a press conference in Winnipeg Thursday afternoon that he will make his final decision Thursday night and will make his announcement by the end of the day Friday.

His main competitor, John Harvard,  MP for Charleswood-St. James Assiniboia in Winnipeg and parliamentary secretary to the International Trade Minister, issued a statement Thursday afternoon saying that he would not seek re-election.

"After meeting with family, friends and colleagues, I have decided I will not be seeking re-election for the upcoming federal election. I've shared my decision with Mayor Glen Murray and will continue to encourage him to seek the Liberal nomination in Charleswood-St. James Assiniboia.

"I am very excited about the future of our community and think Mayor Glen Murray would make an outstanding member of parliament for the riding and the province."

Mr. Murray said at his press conference that he has had a number of discussions with Mr. Harvard as of late.

"John and I over the last couple of weeks have had a number of discussions." He said in his opinion, the talks were "pretty hypothetical" because he didn't want to run against an incumbent.

Mr. Harvard will reportedly recieve the Manitoba lieutenant-governor post.

Mr. Murray, meanwhile, will meet with Mr. Harvard Thursday evening and with Mr. Harvard's riding association.

"He will be talking with everyone involved," a spokeswoman with Mr. Murray's office told globeandmail.com.

One of Mr. Harvard's officials said that Mr. Harvard would likely hand over his riding association to Mr. Murray, and most of Mr. Harvard's organizers would now likely work for Mr. Murray.

When asked by reporters why he was waiting until Friday to make his official announcement, Mr. Murray said he had to meet first with his campaign team because there were "huge challenges with a transition."

He also refused to absolutely confirm that he would be running federally.

"I wouldn't say I haven't made a decision," he hedged, adding he felt it was inappropriate to make his announcement before talking to his team.

However, several Winnipeg city councillors said they were upset at the way Mr. Murray handled the situation.

Many councillors watching Mr. Murray's press conference were dumbfounded by the spectacle of dozens of reporters crowding around the Mayor while he refused to make any concrete statement on his political future.

Many complained that Mr. Murray's indecision leaves the city in limbo.

Councillor Harvey Smith said "it's sickening" to have to wait another day for Mr. Murray to make his announcement.

Another councillor, Peter De Smedt, said "it's disgusting."

He said if Mr. Murray is going to run for Parliament and be a future cabinet minister he should not make the announcement during a brief appearance in a press scrum.

The charismatic Winnipeg mayor will be one of Prime Minister Paul Martin's star candidates. He has been at the forefront of the new deals for cities that would provide municipalities with additional revenue and a say at the federal level.

He is also considered the de facto leader of metropolitan mayors.

Liberals hope that Mr. Murray can improve on the showing in the riding. Mr. Harvard won his seat in the 2000 federal election by 2,300 votes.

Mr. Murray, who became Canada's first openly gay mayor when elected in 1998, told reporters earlier this week he would quit his job if he announced he was running for the Liberals.

"My own personal opinion is that if you're seeking another elected office, before the election you should not hold current office. I think it's very hard to be campaigning for office and then actually conduct the business of another government."

With a report from Canadian Press

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