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Election preparation focus of Tories' AGM

By: Bruce Owen

Posted: 11/7/2009 1:00 AM | Comments: 0 (including replies)

Two years pass quickly in politics and Manitoba's Progressive Conservatives don't want to be caught napping.

That's why their annual general meeting this weekend has taken on the atmosphere of a campaign kickoff rather than just a rehash of internal party business.

With the popular former NDP premier Gary Doer now nestled in Washington, D.C., as Canada's ambassador, the Tories see a chance to pull themselves out of the political wilderness.

"This is an important meeting," Progressive Conservative Leader Hugh McFadyen said Friday. "It's been 14 years since we last won an election. We've not had a lot to celebrate.

"Now we have an opportunity to make party members believe in themselves again."

That process actually started the day former finance minister Greg Selinger was elected premier. From the get-go the Tories under McFadyen have portrayed Selinger as a weak and sometimes invisible leader, particularly with the recent confusion over who was entitled H1N1 vaccinations.

The NDP, meanwhile, have taken almost every opportunity to get Selinger out in front of the TV cameras to raise his profile as quickly as possible.

McFadyen said this means that the campaign to form the next government, despite election day being almost two years away, is well underway.

"What I hope is party members come away from this weekend feeling they have to go out and work hard for the next election," he said. "Things don't happen suddenly. We're going to have to work away at it one vote at a time."

McFadyen's keynote address is today at 11:30 a.m. at the Radisson Hotel.

Jonathan Scarth, CEO of the Manitoba PCs, said the focus of this AGM is election preparedness.

The 300 delegates will discuss 87 resolutions to lay the foundation of their election platform. The last AGM saw the party debate 14 resolutions.

Many resolutions echo the party's position on issues like Bipole III -- the new hydro transmission line should go down the east side of Lake Winnipeg, not the west side of the province -- and should be approved quickly.

Scarth said party members will also adopt changes that will allow the Tories to get a head start on election readiness and nominating candidates.

The party's finances are healthy.

"We're raising more than we did last year," said Scarth. "We're also spending more on election preparedness."

bruce.owen@freepress.mb.cA

Reviewing resolutions

Manitoba's Progressive Conservatives start their annual general meeting today. The agenda includes setting some policy priorities as the Oct. 4, 2011 provincial elections inches closer. Here's a look at some of the 87 resolutions up for discussion:

"ö Exempting first-time homebuyers from the land transfer tax: The Tories say the exemption would free up some cash for many young homebuyers to get their house sooner (the land transfer tax is calculated based on the fair market value of realty on the date of registration).

"ö Tax credits for healthy adult activity: The PCs say if they form the next government they'd provide tax credit to adults for fitness classes and gym classes to encourage physical fitness.

"ö Accurate report cards: The Progressive Conservatives would bring back report cards with percentage grades for all grade 5-12 students. Reports would be standard across all divisions and sent home three times a year.

"ö Therapeutic drug jail: Many repeat criminal are drug abusers. The Tories would build a new jail to treat drug users so once released they don't fall back into crime to get their next fix.

"ö Police helicopter: The PC Party of Manitoba, if it forms the next government, would provide the necessary resources to get a police helicopter for Winnipeg police.

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition November 7, 2009 A10

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