Dear Progressive Conservative:
Since my last report to you, there continues to be a lot of activity in our party throughout the province.
First, I would be remiss in not acknowledging Karen Casey's recent news about not seeking the leadership of our party on a permanent basis. Since accepting the invitation of our MLAs in June to become interim leader, which was unanimously ratified by the provincial executive, she has performed admirably in this role, listening to Nova Scotians and letting people know that our party is ready, willing and able to champion issues on the floor of the legislature on their behalf. Karen has also stayed connected to our party's grassroots, attending annual meetings and fundraisers in the constituencies, as well as participating in meetings of the provincial executive, management committee and presidents council.
In the last two weeks, I have had the privilege to meet with groups of PCs around the province - some large and others smaller. They include Dartmouth South-Portland Valley's annual meeting, Central Nova's federal dinner in Antigonish and Bedford-Birch Cove's executive meeting. I would like to thank the organizers for their hospitality.
Without party members in our 52 constituencies, there simply is no PC Party.
To that end, each year our provincial president has the responsibility to recognize an individual or group of individuals who exemplify all that is great about our grassroots Tories. At our provincial annual meeting last month, I was honoured to present the President's Award to the by-election campaign teams of Antigonish, Inverness and Cumberland-Colchester-Musquodobout Valley. Despite a difficult 2009 provincial general election, these party volunteers rallied to run three highly competitive by-election campaigns. Our party won two of those by-elections, coming a strong second in the third. Indeed, our party received more votes than any other party in the by-elections.
Members of your provincial executive are also working to prepare plans in a number of areas for the year to come. At our last executive meeting on February 7, I circulated a draft list of priorities for 2010-2011, which cover the following:
- greater provincial outreach
- renewing, strengthening and modernizing our party's vision and organization (starting with Outlook 2014)
- better fundraising at both the provincial and constituency levels
- open, fair and democratic leadership selection process
- increasing our membership/improving communication
I have asked the provincial executive to provide me feedback on these priorities in time for our next provincial executive meeting on March 27 in Antigonish. I encourage you to let me know your views as a party member and supporter.
Or better yet, if you want to help shape the future of the PC Party, please join me, Vice President, Policy, Andrew Black and other party members at one of four Outlook 2014 sessions around the province. The first one is tomorrow from 10 am to 4 pm at the Museum of Industry in Stellarton. The other meetings take place in April and are listed on www.pcparty.ns.ca
Nova Scotia's PC Party has always worked closely with our federal partners and that tradition continues. This week, a delegation of our MLAs went to Ottawa for meetings with, among others, federal Finance Minister Jim Flaherty, Justice Minister Rob Nicholson, Public Safety Minister Vic Toews, our own National Defence Minister Peter MacKay, ACOA Minister Keith Ashfield and Fisheries and Oceans Minister Gail Shea.
As provincial president, I was invited to sit in on a working breakfast with our MLAs, MPs and Senators. I also co-hosted a reception with our PC MLAs and made a number of fundraising calls to Nova Scotia Tories who are working in Ottawa.
A tangible example of how co-operaton between the federal Conservatives and provincial PC Party can benefit Nova Scotia will be seen later today with an important announcement in Pictou County regarding the former TrentonWorks facility. This is the culmination of a great deal of time and effort put in by the Honourable Peter MacKay, former premier Rodney MacDonald and former Pictou Centre MLA Pat Dunn.
In closing this report, I thank you for everything you're doing to support our party organizationally or financially (have you become a monthly donor yet? A few dollars a month can go a long way).
Keep in touch (robert.batherson@pcparty.ns.ca)
Robert Batherson
President
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