Robbins approved to run for PC nomination in Spruce Woods

BRANDON — Longtime Tory party volunteer Colleen Robbins has been approved to run for the PC nomination in Spruce Woods ahead of a byelection.

“I’m feeling pretty positive,” said Robbins. “That means I’ve got to start campaigning and getting my people out to the nomination meeting to vote for me.”

Robbins said she was approved late last week. The nomination meeting is set for June 7 in Wawanesa.

“Lots of people have made the comment that ‘you will do a great job as our next MLA. You’ve been doing this for so long that this is your time. You will be amazing,’” she said.

Robbins, who lives in Souris, was the southwest regional director for the PCs, which includes Spruce Woods, and has volunteered for the party for years.

Robbins said health care, crime, agriculture and highways are the top areas of concern to voters.

“I’ll listen to the people, and I will take it to my team in charge of all the critical roles,” said Robbins.

She also said Green Team programs need more funding, which is important not only for communities to look nice but also to provide summer jobs for young people.

Failed party leadership contender Wally Daudrich has said he wouldn’t seek the nomination, after musing about it following his defeat to Obby Khan in April.

Multiple sources had told the Brandon Sun that Scott Phillips, a councillor for the Rural Municipality of Sifton, was considering putting his name forward. Phillips declined to comment Tuesday.

The byelection was triggered after Grant Jackson stepped down to run in the federal election in Brandon-Souris, which he won.

The byelection must be held before Sept. 24, six months after Jackson stepped down.

PC headquarters didn’t respond to a request for comment.

— Brandon Sun