Former treasurer Jim Dinning's supporters hosted an Vancouver event last week, and have scheduled fundraising bashes later this month in Toronto and Winnipeg, where they've already canvassed previously. The "B.C. Friends of Ted Morton" are holding a $1,500-per-table luncheon at downtown Vancouver's ritzy Hyatt Regency hotel next Friday.

The arch-conservative Morton and more moderate Dinning have varying reasons for looking outside Alberta: Morton is courting ideological brethren, while Dinning is pursuing corporations with Alberta interests.

Morton's B.C. pitch is designed to appeal to individuals who endorse his "firewall" agenda to safeguard Alberta from a meddling Ottawa.