Dear Progressive Conservative:
Since my last report to you, I have attended annual meetings in Argyle and Cole Harbour-Eastern Passage, and executive meetings in Pictou West and Halifax Chebucto. These meetings give me an opportunity to hear what's on the minds of PC Party members and take their views forward. I have accepted other invitations in the months ahead for similar events around the province. If you would like me to meet with any group - big or small - please contact me at robert.batherson@pcparty.ns.ca and I will try to be there if my schedule permits.
As you are aware, the Nova Scotia legislature reconvened on March 25 and the provincial budget will be delivered on April 6. Our leader and caucus are already making a difference on behalf of Nova Scotians, leading the charge against the government's planned tax increases and securing an emergency debate on the crisis facing Yarmouth and Nova Scotia's tourism industry as a result of the government ending support for ferry service to Maine. I encourage you to review Karen Casey's response to the Throne Speech, which Jim David sent out from PC Headquarters on Friday.
Elections Nova Scotia recently informed our party - along with others presumably - that they are conducting a comprehensive review of the province's Elections Act and other related laws, regulations and policies.
The view of Elections Nova Scotia is that they would present recommended changes by the fall of 2010. Rest assured that we will do our best as a party to consult with our constituency associations to ensure that, if our party participates in the consultation process, the views of grassroots PCs are put forward. Our presidents council meeting is scheduled for May 15 in Bible Hill, so we can expect that review to be on the agenda.
On March 27, members of your party's provincial executive gathered in Antigonish for our first face to face meeting since the 2010 annual general meeting.
Our candidate of record in Antigonish - Darren Thompson - joined us for the meeting, along with Antigonish PC president Duncan MacDonald. Darren came a strong second to the NDP in last October's by-election and he and his team are already working hard to prepare for the next campaign. Darren is part of the new generation of PCs who are stepping up to make a positive difference for their community and province.
The provincial executive received plans for the year ahead in finance, communications, membership and operations. We also received an update from 2010 leadership convention co-chair Alice McCarron, as well as from our district vice presidents from across the province.
Cape Breton West MLA Alfie MacLeod provided an update from caucus and answered questions from executive members. Leader's chief of staff Bob Manuel shared a written update from the Honourable Karen Casey, who was unable to come to Antigonish as she was representing our party at the annual general meeting of the Nova Scotia Cattle Producers Association in Bible Hill on the same day.
One important decision the provincial executive made this weekend was the location and timing of the 2011 annual general meeting.
Over the last several years, including at last month's provincial annual general meeting, a number of party members have suggested that we move the provincial annual meeting to a location in rural Nova Scotia outside of Halifax. With our leadership convention coming up in Halifax in late October of this year, there was also some thought on scheduling the 2011 annual meeting later in the year.
Earlier this month, the management committee of our party asked our district vice presidents to ask our 52 constituency presidents for their views on these two questions. Constituency presidents in both rural and urban Nova Scotia overwhelmingly responded that they preferred to see the annual general meeting stay in Halifax in February. Some of the reasons provided by constituency presidents included:
- the current location and timing always result in the largest turnouts for any political party - "if it's not broken, why fix it"
- people find a February time "breaks up the winter"
- rural delegates and their families enjoy coming to Halifax because it offers a wide range of dining and shopping options
As a result of what we heard from grassroots Tories, the provincial executive unanimously voted to set next year's annual general meeting for February 4-6, 2011, in Halifax. Details will follow later this year.
On a personal note, I was hoping we would get greater support for moving our party's annual meeting to another venue outside of Halifax. One of the things about being provincial president that I wish I could share with others is learning about different parts of the province. It's why I have been an advocate for moving the provincial executive meeting around to different communities (in the last six months, our provincial executive has met in Antigonish, Windsor and Bridgewater). But as a provincial executive, we have a responsibility to listen to the opinions of our grassroots members at the constituency level, respect their views and act accordingly.
Thanks again for all the feedback you're sending me by email, phone or in person. I hope my path will cross with yours in the weeks ahead.
Keep in touch,
Rob
Robert Batherson
President
PC Party of Nova Scotia
