Haldimand-Norfolk’s Progressive Conservative Riding Association remains in disbelief that someone was appointed to run for the local PC’s in the upcoming Provincial election without any local input.
That was Bobbi-Ann Brady, President of the Riding Association for over 20 years.
She did serve as MPP Barrett’s Executive Assistant during this time as well.
Across Ontario, there have been Conservative MPP’s who have deciding to retire or step away from the role, and when they do so they are afforded two options.
Brady said that neither of these options happened.
Barrett put up a nomination, it was rejected, and so the natural next step would have been a nomination process.
Instead, the PC’s announced that Haldimand County mayor Ken Hewitt would be appointed the role, bypassing any local vote.
Brady says that there was time for a nomination process, despite claims otherwise..
She also says local Conservatives are shocked about who the PC’s ultimately chose – something she said the government would know if they attempted to consult with the Riding Association at all.
Brady says local Conservatives are also concerned as Hewitt attempted to get on the Liberal ticket a few years back, putting into question for them his commitment to party.
She says the appointment by the Ford government is a slap in the face to local Conservatives in Haldimand-Norfolk who have spent years supporting the Conservatives.
We have made a few requests to Hewitt for an interview about his appointment, running for the PC’s, and to respond to some of this criticism but he has not returned responded to our requests at this time.
Written by: Matt LeBlanc