BRUDENELL, P.E.I. - A reinvigorated P.E.I. Progressive Conservative Party has begun building its “war chest” for the next provincial election.
Friday’s announcement of MLA James Aylward as the new leader wasn’t the only major change for the party over the weekend, with members also electing a fresh provincial executive during its annual general meeting at Rodd Brudenell River Resort on Saturday.
President Charles Blue, vice president Philip Brown and secretary Suzie DeBlois all won elections for their roles. Ryan Pineau will remain in his role as treasurer.
With an upcoming byelection months away and a provincial election on the horizon, Blue said the coming year is an important one for the party.
“The (electoral) boundaries have changed… and our provincial election is fast approaching,” said Blue, who lives in District 4 Belfast-Murray River. “I look forward to working with and supporting each district in preparing them to win the election. My past experience will help me understand the issues districts face.”
None of the three executive members elected on Saturday are strangers to party supporters.
Blue has served as vice president and secretary of the provincial executive. He has also served as District 4 president for 10 years as well as previously serving as president of the PC Youth Wing.
Brown served as an MLA and cabinet minister in the Pat Binns government. DeBlois is the daughter of the late Tom DeBlois, who was a long-time party supporter, volunteer and federal Conservative candidate.
Blue said his previous experience will help give him the foundation necessary to build success as the party’s president.
“I’ve seen our party go through good times and hard times and I think we can all agree it’s time for change,” he said. “I pledge to work tirelessly to ensure our next government will be a Progressive Conservative government.”
The AGM largely revolved around the election of the new executive, as well as reports from outgoing interim president Margaret Anne Walsh and executive director Craig Davidson. The AGM saw no resolutions around party policy.
Pineau also provided a financial update for the party.
Pineau said the party has seen many new members and was in reasonably good shape with about $156,329 in revenue and $134,833 in expenses for the year up to Sept. 30.
However, he noted the party still had about $170,000 in bank debt from the previous provincial election and that he will be meeting with MLAs and other executive members to form an “aggressive fundraising strategy.”
“While our party’s finances are in reasonably good shape, we have some challenges ahead,” said Pineau, adding that with education minister Doug Currie’s resignation the party is now gearing up for, at the very least, a byelection.
However, Pineau noted the possibility of an early election being called and said the party must also be ready for that scenario.
“Now that we have a permanent leader in place, we have to work to quickly pay off the remaining bank debt and build a war chest so we can prepare to take a ninth seat in District 11 or fight our way to victory in a general election.”
The next provincial election must be held by October, 2019 at the latest.
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