Vows to invigorate Tories
Winnipeg Sun
February 24, 2006
By ROCHELLE SQUIRES, LEGISLATURE REPORTER
If he is elected leader of the provincial Tory party, Fort Whyte MLA Hugh McFadyen said he would invigorate the party, win over Manitobans' confidence and send Gary Doer and the NDP government back into opposition in the next election.
McFadyen made his long-awaited announcement yesterday that he will seek the party leadership.
Flanked by supporters, family and friends at his old stomping grounds at the Woodhaven Park Community Centre in St. James, McFadyen unveiled his campaign slogan "New Day. Winning Way." and gave a smattering of his goals as leader of the party.
"I'm here today to announce my candidacy for the leadership of the Manitoba Progressive Conservative Party and after that, the premiership of the province of Manitoba," said McFadyen. "It's a new day in Manitoba and there's a new way to get our province going again. "
The rookie MLA said his fundamental objective is to retain and attract young people to live and work in Manitoba.
"We must stop the exodus of young Manitobans from leaving this province," said McFadyen. "We must have their energy, their ideas and their abilities right here at home."
Ripe for change
He believes the province is ripe for change. As leader, McFadyen said he'd inject the Tory party with fresh perspective, winning strategies and a new focus.
"I worry that this tired old NDP government is dragging us down," he said. "Throughout this campaign I'll be putting forward some of my own ideas and after a vigorous contest of ideas, our party will be stronger than ever. That's how we'll take on the NDP and deliver a win in the next election."
The Tory party has not been able to effectively tarnish the NDP's reputation or Premier Gary Doer's popularity in several years.
Many Tory insiders said that's the main reason Opposition leader Stuart Murray only received lukewarm support at the party's annual meeting in November.
McFadyen is the first candidate to enter the race since Murray called for the leadership convention in December.
Springfield MLA Ron Schuler is expected to announce his intention to seek the Tory leadership today and David Langtry, Murray's chief of staff, may enter the race next week.
Contestants have until March 15 to enter the leadership race and the convention is slated for April 29.
The Tory membership drive is open until March 31 and the party is hoping to double the membership during the contest.