A long-time supporter of Paul Martin, and former Liberal MP for Souris-Moose Mountain, Bernie Collins, is ready to get back into the fray as the Liberal candidate.

The former mayor and councillor from Estevan did serve one term as a Liberal MP, but was defeated in 1997 by Roy Bailey, then of the Reform Party and lately of the Canadian Alliance. Collins went back to Estevan city council in the interim, but chose not to run again in this year's civic election, citing the rise to power of his friend Paul Martin as "a major factor" in wanting to run again.

"When he was there as finance minister, I think his work was outstanding. I like his approach to the West. It was pro-active, the idea that he would meet with the premiers at the Grey Cup and then when he talked to municipal leaders in Vancouver; he sent good messages," said Collins.

Martin is set to be the next Prime Minister on Friday, Dec. 12, when Jean Chretien steps down, and will also reveal his new cabinet that day. Collins predicts there will be some major changes in cabinet members, although is confident Saskatchewan's main MP, Ralph Goodale, will be among the cabinet, possibly as deputy prime minister.

"You take a look at what the minister has done for Saskatchewan, and knowing he's playing a powerful role, here's an opportunity to send members of Parliament to speak on the government side in addition to Ralph's voice," said Collins.

One of the issues Collins has concerns about is support for the cattle industry, which is suffering under the continued U.S. border closure to live cattle exports. He said he was disappointed with the recent announcement of payments for cull cows, because the payments are only made if the cows are sent to slaughter, a move that will flood the market.

"I suspect there will be a change in the ag minister, and with the change there may be a new approach, one I think will reflect an appreciation of the problems in the West in the ag industry, whether it's cow-calf producers or wheat farmers or dairy producers," said Collins.

The former MP also said he won't be afraid to tackle controversial issues and take a stand, like he did with Bill C-68, the gun control law, one which he says he still "opposes vehemently" and showed it by voting against the government. A current example of a stand he will take is opposing the bill allowing same-sex marriages. He added that in order to prevent such bills from even arising, there needs to be more Liberal members from the West who can speak on the government side instead of from the Opposition benches.

One bill he had presented that died on the order paper called for the end of farmer-paid demurrage charges on grain movement; it was never re-introduced, but Collins said he would be willing to bring that issue up again as well.

Asked if the new Conservative party might be a threat to the Liberals at all, Collins said he didn't want to do any crystal-ball gazing, but he feels the Liberals under Paul Martin will definitely win the next election, so there should be more Liberal members from the West, including from Souris-Moose Mountain.

The Souris-Moose Mountain riding association hasn't yet set a date for the nomination meeting, but riding president Jim Bouchard said it will be early in the new year, likely January or February.

"I hope it will be held very quickly, so we can move forward on the campaign trail," said Collins, adding he would expect a spring federal election.

"I'm excited. I think we've got the right man at the right time. He's going to rekindle relations with the U.S. which has slipped recently. I've always supported Paul; he's going to do a great job," said Collins.