Winnipeg Free Press - ONLINE EDITION

Tories 'represent renewal' says McFadyen

WINNIPEG — Welcomed by the roar of 50 pairs of thundersticks and the music of the Black Eyed Peas' I've Got a Feeling, Hugh McFadyen delivered a 45-minute campaign-styled call-to-arms to the provincial Conservative party faithful today.

Manitoba Conservatives are holding their annual general meeting in Winnipeg this weekend. And their main task is to get ready for the next provincial election, which must be held under new fixed election rules on Oct. 4, 2011.

"We represent renewal. We are the party of change," McFadyen told the 300 delegates assembled at the Radisson Hotel.

They are discussing some 87 resolutions this afternoon as the party gears up for 2011.

Speaking with a backdrop of blue-shirted party members thumping together their thundersticks, McFadyen spoke about common Tory themes such as tackling crime, reducing the province's debt and making health care more efficient.

He also attacked new NDP party leader Greg Selinger as someone who knew about problems with the failed Crocus Investment Fund early on but failed to alert Manitobans and, more recently, as the man charged with overseeing Hydro at at time when a whistle blower has raised alarms about the crown corporation's future.

But the main topic of this year's convention is election readiness. That was symbolized by the blue T-shirts many delegates were wearing with the slogan, "Building to win in 2011" and sporting the number 696 -- the number of days until the next election.

The convention concludes on Sunday.

 

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