Former Nova Scotia MP hopes previous experience, name recognition will boost him to CPC leadership
Posted Feb 10, 2020 11:38:28 AM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Name recognition might play a large role in the upcoming federal Conservative leadership race as a former Nova Scotia Member of Parliament seems to be emerging as the front runner.
A leadership forum happened over the weekend in Nova Scotia, and Peter MacKay was one of the five leadership hopefuls who took part in the provincial Progressive Conservative's Annual General Meeting
Almost every home in this province would know the name Peter MacKay, and will associate it with his long tenure as an MP in the province, including filling several prominent, and important Cabinet posts under Prime Minister Stephen Harper.
MacKay telling NEWS 95.7 he believes he brings experience to the race and that makes him a strong candidate.
“I think it is about experience, I think it's about the ability to walk into the House of Commons day one, take on the Prime Minister,” says MacKay. “I've been there, I was a member for 18 years, I ran six elections, I've been active in all the previous elections in working with Conservatives across the country.”
MacKay believes his almost two decades of federal political experience gives him a leg up over the competition.
“I've been in the private sector, I've worked in business, I've worked in law, I've had several portfolios in government, so I know about the inner workings of how the government should work, and how it can be more efficient, how it can deliver for Canadians,” explains MacKay. “So it's a big undertaking, but I believe my life experience and commitment to country is there for all to see.”
While speaking to a large crowd in Halifax, MacKay also highlighted the need to run a more civil campaign, something Andrew Scheer was criticized for during the fall federal election. MacKay told reporters after the forum that he believes a united party would have the upper hand.
“Coming back to the question about what did we do wrong, or how did we fail in the last campaign, part of it was not putting something positive enough in the window, and explaining it, and costing it, and showing Canadians this would be a better way for them, for their backyards, for their back pocketsm,” says MacKay.
All who spoke at the forum also highlighted the need for the party to move forward with a more progressive stance, with all candidates stating their intention to broaden the party’s appeal by protecting abortion and LGBTQ2IA rights.
