McFadyen will run for Tory leadership
Last Updated: February 23 2006 01:55 PM CST
Fort Whyte MLA Hugh McFadyen has officially launched his campaign to become the leader of Manitoba's Progressive Conservative Party.
McFadyen made the announcement this morning at a community club in Winnipeg's St. James area, where he grew up.
The rookie MLA is also vowing to put the Conservatives back in power, replacing the "tired, old NDP government." He criticized the current regime for what he called a long record of failure.
"Our health-care system is the worst in Canada, and a remarkable achievement for a government that was elected six years ago to fix health care. Our safety has been shattered, from Main Street in Winnipeg to Main Street, Manitoba, our streets are crumbling and our colleges and universities aren't able to keep up with those in the provinces that surround us," he said.
"The mismanagement of our hard-earned tax dollars – whether be it for Crocus, for the [Workers Compensation Board], Hydro and other examples – show us that the NDP can't be trusted to manage the finances of our province. The end result is the migration of talented and energetic young people out of Manitoba."
McFadyen will not be the only leadership candidate; fellow Tory MLA Ron Schuler of Springfield will hold news conferences in Winnipeg and Brandon Friday, and McFadyen expects he will be one of a number of people who will join the race.
Several high-profile potential candidates – including Conservative MP Brian Pallister, former deputy premier Jim Downey and MLA Myrna Driedger – have said they would not run for the party leadership.
Tory leader Stuart Murray announced last fall that he would quit the job after receiving only lukewarm support from his party in a vote over a proposed leadership review.
The convention to choose a new party boss will be held at the end of April.