The race to interchange MPP Rick Byers in Bruce-Gray-Owen Sound is formally underway. The Bruce-Gray-Owen Sound Progressive Conservative Using Affiliation has referred to as a nomination assembly for January 18, 2025 on the Harry Lumley Bayshore Group Centre in Owen Sound to pick out a brand new candidate to characterize the PC Social gathering within the subsequent provincial election.
Byers, who was elected within the 2022 provincial election, offered discover of his departure in September, permitting the using affiliation sufficient time to carry a correct nomination course of. Using Affiliation Vice President of Communications Karen MacInnis tells CKNXNewsToday.ca that the method is predicted to be hotly-contested.
“Rick gave us loads of time to carry a correct nomination assembly. We don’t know when the following election shall be referred to as, however this ensures we’re prepared and provides folks within the using sufficient time to contemplate in the event that they’re thinking about stepping ahead,” she mentioned.
The choice to carry the assembly greater than a 12 months earlier than the following scheduled election, tentatively set for June 4, 2026, mirrors a technique used up to now. MacInnis referenced the 2011 transition from former MPP Invoice Murdoch to Invoice Walker, which additionally allowed candidates ample time to introduce themselves and interact with residents.
“We wish the identical alternative this time, for candidates to journey the using, speak to folks, and perceive the problems that matter to them,” MacInnis mentioned, confirming that the using affiliation has acquired pointers from Premier Doug Ford’s workplace, and that they are going to have remaining say about which candidate they add to the social gathering slate.
MacInnis additionally says the nomination course of will draw inspiration from the 2019 federal nomination assembly for MP Alex Ruff, albeit with a number of tweaks and a brand new location. The January occasion will embrace speeches, meet-and-greet tables, and a day-long voting course of, culminating within the announcement of the winner.
The using of Bruce-Gray-Owen Sound has persistently supported the PC Social gathering. Byers, who was elected in 2022 with practically 49 per cent of the vote, succeeded Walker, who himself served as MPP for 11 years.
Eligible voters should be residents of Bruce-Gray-Owen Sound and maintain a sound PC Social gathering membership by the deadline of January 4, 2025. Memberships may be bought or renewed at ontariopc.ca.
