Ottawa-“The Conservative Convention attended by 3,000 participants ran remarkably well as delegates have an eye on election readiness,” said Ed Komarnicki, MP for Souris-Moose Mountain. “The strong 84% voting endorsement of Stephen Harper by the delegates not only gives the Leader of the Official Opposition a strong mandate to lead the Party in the next federal election, but also will rally Members of Parliament and Conservatives across the country to work hard on the ground to ensure that Stephen Harper will become the next Prime Minister of Canada. Members of Parliament and delegates to the Convention, left united and ready to do battle against the Liberals in the next election.”

Delegates overwhelmingly endorsed maintaining the traditional definition of marriage as Party policy and made compromises where necessary on other resolutions, such as C-11, which was voted down in favour of equality of Ridings in accordance with the Agreement in Principle between the two founding Parties.

The abortion resolution providing that a Conservative government would not support any legislation to regulate abortion passed by a slim majority but sparked some lively debate, as did the debate on the traditional definition of marriage. “This brings some temporary closures to these issues,” said Komarnicki, “however, I do expect that they will continue to be debated.”

The resolutions on agriculture were also debated with P-42 containing a number of specific strategic agriculture policies related to support programs, safe food supply, enhanced export opportunities and ensuring that agriculture production is economically sustainable. The policy provides that tools need to be flexible and able to respond to changing market conditions and to manage the risk related to weather and disease. It recognizes that as the agriculture base of rural economies decline, so to do the infrastructures of rural economies. “As the Conservatives form government,’ said Komarnicki, “I expect agriculture to be raised to a national level and with farmers receiving the respect they deserve.”

On a personal highlight, Komarnicki was pleased that his policy amendment on Housing and Homelessness, made it through the workshop and passed with a majority vote on the plenary session on Saturday. “As the Official Oppositions Labour and Housing Critic, it was a resolution that my office and I worked through on the policy committee, with the Caucus and at the convention, when I spoke to the resolution at both the workshop and the plenary session,” Komarnicki said.

“It is a social policy issue that shows a compassionate side to the Conservative Party. It gives me a taste of how the process can work,” said Komarnicki. “and I hope to see the implementation of the resolution when we are given the opportunity to govern.”

“Overall the Convention was a success,” said Komarnicki. “and it gave the 10 delegates from Souris-Moose Mountain an opportunity to participate in an historic first convention and the establishment of policy resolutions reflecting grassroots values. It was truly amazing to see first-hand, the process in action.”