Progressive Conservative Party of Manitoba leadership candidate Brian Pallister announces his campaign during a news conference on Wednesday, April 11, 2012. (ALYSSA MCDONALD / METRO WINNIPEG)
WINNIPEG — A former Manitoba MLA and MP is making a run at the leadership for the PC Party of Manitoba.
Brian Pallister officially announced his intentions Wednesday during a news conference at The Forks.
Pallister is seeking to replace current Tory leader Hugh McFadyen, who plans to step down in October when the party elects its new leader.
Pallister is the former MP for Portage-Lisgar — a position he held from 2000-2008. He was also a MLA under Gary Filmon’s provincial government.
“Manitoba is a great province with tremendous potential for the future, but we can never achieve our potential under this tired, old NDP government,” Pallister said. “I believe that it is time for new ideas to grow our economy, fix our healthcare system, reduce crime, and restore fiscal responsibility. We will be listening to Manitobans and building on their dreams and concerns as we go forward.”
The 57-year-old said his platform will focus on creating new jobs and increasing economic growth, increasing safety in neighbourhoods and returning the province to balanced budgets.
“It will be my clear mandate in this campaign to demonstrate that I can take the PC Party of Manitoba to the next level and form government in 2015.”
Pallister will now begin his “Aim Higher Tour,” where he’ll travel to Brandon, Shoal Lake and Russell on Thursday.
The Progressive Conservatives will elect a new leader during a convention on October 27, leaving plenty of time for other candidates to throw their name into the ring. The deadline for candidates to register is July 28.
