Driving Naari Programme launched in Chandigarh
Ontario -Patrick Brown, a relatively unknown MP and former city councillor from Barrie, has become the new leader of the Ontario Progressive Conservative Party.
Brown, 36, won handily over long-time MPP and deputy leader Christine Elliott, becoming the youngest person ever to lead the provincial Progressive Conservative camp.
In the moments after he won, he told CP24 the party would be united.
“We have a new party that’s going to unite this province,” he said.
The little-known politician made a name for himself during the campaign by increasing the party’s membership among new Canadians. In total, he sold 41,000 memberships for the party.
In fact, in his acceptance speech, he called out to several communities in their native tongues, including the province’s Tamil, Arabic, Chinese and francophone communities.
“Today’s PC Party reflects our province,” he told the crowd, saying the party has “been given new life.”
Brown won by a wide margin in all parts of the province, from Toronto-Danforth and Scarborough to Thornhill and Richmond Hill, to his home riding in Barrie, to Kitchener, London and Mississauga-Erindale.
In the final tally, he took nearly 62 per cent of the electoral points up for grabs, compared to 38 per cent for Elliott.
He told Northern Ontario success in the region would be one of his priorities.
“I’m here in the GTA to say Northern Ontario matters,” he said.
He also gave a nod to his opponent, saying he could not have asked for a better opponent than Elliott.
“She pushed me hard, she tested me and I am better for it,” he said to loud applause. “We’re all thankful for the vibrancy, compassion and sense of purpose you brought to the PC party.”
Though supporters of Elliott remained quiet while disappointing results were read out riding after riding, Elliott graciously accepted the results, telling the crowd, “I declare this decision unanimous.”
Surrounded by her triplet sons, she sat in her seat with a wavering smile as it became clear that her second effort to lead the party was once again fruitless.
In her concession speech, she said she has no regrets.
“It isn’t always easy to put yourself forward but the sacrifice has been well worth it.”
Elliott said the debate has made the party stronger and that she is confident Brown will do a good job in bringing the party together ahead of the 2018 election.
The PC Party hasn’t won since 2003 when the Liberals formed a government under the leadership of Dalton McGuinty.
Current Toronto Mayor John Tory led the party through two failed elections before bringing in Tim Hudak to take the helm. Hudak had worse luck, seeing the party’s support in the province dwindle during his time as Opposition Leader. He stepped down after Kathleen Wynne’s Liberals won a majority in 2014.
Brown doesn’t currently have a seat in the provincial legislature. A current PC MP will have to resign in order for Brown to win in a byelection in that riding. Coming into the leadership convention, Brown only had the support of five caucus members. Speaking with CP24 after his win, Brown said he has no timeline for trying to get a seat in the provincial legislature.
Throughout the campaign, Brown, who is known to be a social conservative, blasted Elliott for being part of the old party regime, calling for change in the party’s direction. He has been outspoken about his opposition to the Liberals’ proposed update to the sex-ed curriculum. Though he hasn’t said whether he is pro or anti-abortion, Brown has promised not to reopen the debate.
Speaking with reporters, Brown called himself a “pragmatic conservative” and said his win in the leadership race shows that he’s not too far right on the spectrum to lead the party.
Asked what issue he’d like to tackle first, Brown said he would like to make lowering energy prices his first priority as the party’s new leader.
He also told CP24 he has roots in the GTA as a native Torontonian and said he’d like to make the region “more competitive” economically.
“I’m going to be very present and very active in the GTA,” he said.
The governing Liberals were quick to offer their congratulations, with Premier Wynne tweeting congratulations to Brown and commending Elliott for her run.
However Transportation Minister Stephen Del Duca, who attended the event as an observer, criticized Brown for collecting his MP salary while campaigning and said the new PC leader doesn’t have what it takes to lead the province and “is not ready for prime time.”
The NDP sounded a similar note in a press release, congratulating Brown, but pointing out he doesn’t have a seat in the legislature and saying that they continue to be “the only real opposition” to the Liberals.
