The New Democrat campaign to win back Vancouver Island North will gear up this weekend, when party members from Fanny Bay to Port Hardy will choose their candidate for the coming federal election.NDP members will gather at the Native Sons Hall in Courtenay for a nomination meeting Sunday, with registration opening at 12:30 p.m. and the meeting starting at 1 p.m.“Our members are very excited,” says riding association president Roger Kishi. “It’s been a great three-way race. We know that whoever wins, we’ll have a strong candidate who can win back this riding by defeating (Conservative MP) John Duncan.”The candidates vying for the nomination are Coun. Shirley Ackland, former Courtenay councillor Erik Eriksson, and current Courtenay councillor Ronna-Rae Leonard.Members will vote at the meeting, while many others have submitted their ballots by mail.The meeting will also feature special guest Peter Julian, MP for Burnaby-New Westminster, who will speak while the ballots are being counted. Results are expected in the mid-afternoon.— Vancouver Island North NDP