AITCHISON KICKS OFF LEADERSHIP CAMPAIGN WITH ‘RIGHT APPROACH’ TO NEW CONSERVATISM

Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com

HUNTSVILLE — On the first day of spring, hope springs eternal for Parry Sound-Muskoka MP Scott Aitchison as he kicked off his official campaign for leadership of the Conservative Party of Canada.

“Canadians want leadership that restores hope in the future. Leadership that inspires us to fulfil that unwritten commandment that we leave our country better for the next generation,” he told a cheering, placard-waving crowd of about 200 at the Canvas brew house downtown this afternoon. Almost all of them with broad smiles hugged him or shook his hand.

“What the critics forget is that hope is infectious, that unity is strength, that our work ethic is the basis of our optimism. That we won’t back down from a fight and we will never be deterred from standing up for anyone left behind,” Aitchison added in opening remarks that echoed Ukraine’s president.

He’s banking on “the right approach” with centrist politics that will bridge political gaps between the Conservative right and Liberal/NDP left he says no longer works today.

“If you are tired of the same old status quo. If you reject the politics of fear and division. If you reject the notion that we have to settle for mediocre, join us. Let’s show Canadians the right approach.”

Speaking to a younger crowd than typical of past Tory rallies, he said: “Today, we stand for unity and hope. Today we send the message from coast to coast to coast that there is absolutely nothing wrong with Canada that cannot be fixed with everything that is right about Canada. And together, we will prove that a small group of thoughtful and committed citizens can indeed change the world.”

MP Scott Aitchison drew a large crowd of 200 this afternoon in Huntsville where they welcomed his run for the CPC leadership.

Aitchison was introduced on stage as “the next leader of the Conservative Party of Canada” by Kenora MP Eric Melillo.

Melillo, Parliament’s youngest MP at age 23, praised his caucus colleague for his “poise and determination. His ability to build bridges.”

He, too, said Aitchison has “the right approach.”

Other local politicians on hand were municipal mayors past and present who Aitchison had previously sat with when he was previously a Huntsville and District of Muskoka councillor. One of them was friend Fran Coleman, a 20-year town councillor who welcomed everyone.

Mayor Karen Tertian was among local politicians along with former mayor Claude Doughty, Muskoka Lakes Mayor Phil Harding, Lake of Bays Mayor Terry Glover and Bracebridge mayoral candidate Rick Maloney. Aitchison bowed to them as he left the podium following his speech.

Former district chair Gird Adams also warmly greeted him afterwards.

Missing was Bracebridge Mayor Graydon Smith who is running as Conservative candidate in June’s provincial election. Smith praised Aitchison in a tweet Friday.

“The status quo is not good enough. Let us bring respect and a culture of results to Ottawa,” Aitchison said.

“Today, our country faces serious problems. And we need the right approach to solve them. War threatens democracies everywhere. Our economy no longer works for the people who power it. Countless families can barely get by despite putting in a hard day’s work. The next generation is uncertain about the world they will inherit. Climate change, housing costs and our failing healthcare system fill them with anxiety.”

He said: “Solving the challenges of our time requires more than politics as usual. More partisan bickering is not the answer. Solving problems requires real leadership.”

“I have been in Parliament for two terms, and I am dismayed by the energy wasted on political games instead of getting things done. What is missing in Ottawa is leadership.”

He was backed on stage by more than a dozen supporters holding signs, including Poona Gandhi and her son Malay, 11. She owns a motel and has been in Huntsville since 2017 and has long been an Aitchison supporter. Her husband, Causal, died in 2021, with COVID. She said she will do what she can to help the campaign.

Aitchison’s hometown, where he was born Jan. 14, 1973, has been instrumental in his upbringing and shaping his political views.

“Right here in Huntsville is where I learned what real leadership is. I learned to inspire the team around me to achieve great things. I learned to empower citizens with an open and transparent government. This is the place that taught me the importance of dialogue, of respectful debate and the remarkable possibilities that can come from listening to those we may disagree with.

“Today, Canada needs the kind of inclusive, engaged, compassionate leadership that I learned right here. And so, it is fitting that it is here, in this place, that I formally announce my candidacy to be the next leader of the Conservative Party of Canada.”

He added: “It is humbling to be surrounded by so many neighbours — people who have supported me, taught me and mentored me.

“Today, many are meeting me for the very first time. Many Canadians might be wondering about the audacity of some dude from Northern Ontario, an unknown guy from rural Ontario thinking he has any business running to be the leader of anything.

“So let me tell you a little bit about my journey to this stage today.

“I was born right here in Huntsville, Ontario. I was raised in the Jehovah’s Witness faith, but at the age of 15, I sought a different path and I left home to find the faith that guides me to this very day. I didn’t really have much of a plan at the time, I just knew I had to make the move. Of course, in typical Canadian fashion, neighbours took me in, gave me a hand up and made me part of their family. But it was not just the Koop family (many of them on hand) that took me in. This community rallied around me, supported me, and always made sure I was ok. I was literally raised by my community.

“Then at age 21, I was elected to Huntsville Town Council. I believed then, as I do now, that politics and elected office should be about rolling up your sleeves to solve problems. It should be about coming together to give a voice to every citizen. Proposing solutions to improve the lives of those we serve.

“In the decades that followed, the community trusted me to serve as a Muskoka Regional councillor, the deputy mayor, and then mayor of Huntsville. Here’s the thing about municipal politics — it’s close to the people and it’s all about consensus building to get things done. It’s about putting words into action. We treat each other with respect, work towards a common goal and relentlessly focus on breaking down barriers to find solutions. This is the right approach missing in Ottawa.”

Aitchison, who spoke briefly five times in French, did make one thing clear, that “Bill 21 is wrong.”

“Our party has a proud tradition of being a voice for freedom of religion around the world. We need to have the courage of our convictions to do the same here at home, in every province and territory. Freedom of religion is a charter right. This includes the right of every single Canadian to proudly wear a cross, hijab, turban or a kippah at their place of work. Bill 21 is wrong, and I will stand against it. This is the right approach and I need your help to do it.

“If our party is to be the party of the rule of law, then we must stand up for the rule of law always — not only when it’s convenient to our political narrative.

“We need a leader who will respect all Conservatives. Diversity of thought makes our Party stronger, so long as we are prepared to respect each other. All Conservatives will have a genuine seat at the table under my leadership and I invite all Canadians to join us.”

Aitchison also delved in to climate change, which was once a primary concern championed by former riding MP Stan Darling.

“When I say I’m opposed to a carbon tax, it’s not because it’s politically convenient,” said Aitchison. “It’s because I represent hard working people who cannot afford to heat their homes and put healthy food on the table – people who cannot afford to wait for a small refund at the end of the year. We must not make the most vulnerable in our society shoulder the heaviest burden in tackling climate change. Join our team and we will help Canadians reduce their carbon footprint, not punish them.”

He added in a media scrum after that he looks forward to criss-crossing the country and using social media to present a polite his non-combative campaign.

“I want no part of it.

“I’m not interested in criticizing any other candidates. I’m not interested in playing any games. I’m just presenting myself and what I offer and my style and approach and we’re going to present policies in the coming days that will resonate with all Conservatives and all Canadians.”

He looks forward to presenting his views and “getting out there and meeting Canadians and as many Conservatives as we can.”

Aitchison said coming out of pandemic “Canadians right now are frustrated and are ready to get their lives back. COVID has not been easy. … We will be calculating the true cost of COVID-19 for some time. And I think now because of what we’ve seen now in the experience of the lockdowns now is the time more than ever to bring Canadians together. I think that’s a message they need to hear and want to hear.”

He said Canadians have lost their confidence in the Liberals.

“Yeah, I think they have. It’s really important for Conservatives to makes sure that we present a responsible, courageous group of people that are ready to take on the reins of government and that Canadians can trust them. It’s really important in this race.

Terziano called his speech “amazing.”

“Scott’s such good orator. Everybody should aspire to be such a good speaker. And his message was great.”

She said he has always been a consensus builder.

“The thing with Scott is that he wanted to engage the public in everything. He wanted to hear from the people in our community, what they wanted. It didn’t matter what the issue was. Let’s find out what our community wants before making a decision. Very much a collaborator.”

Terziano said “personally I think the leadership run will be the toughest part. If he can become leader of the Conservatives, I believe whole heartedly he will become the next prime minister.”

The leader will be named in September.

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