Raitt Makes Run For Leader

One of the candidates for the federal Conservative leadership made a stop in Vernon today.

Ontario MP and former Tory cabinet minister Lisa Raitt is one of 14 people in the race, but she feels her background and experience set her apart.

“I have a unique life experience being brought up in Cape Breton, and then being a soccer mom in Ontario, and I think that lends itself for making solid, good decisions that are good for Canadian families,” Raitt told Kiss FM.

Raitt took questions for over an hour from a crowd of about 50 people at the Schubert Centre.

“I’m not in favour of it,” said Raitt when asked about the carbon tax. I don’t believe you can have a carbon neutral tax.”

On the CBC: “It should provide local content in smaller communities. I would make sure the mandate is narrowed, and I would reduce the funding.”

On immigration: “Now they (Liberals) are talking about 40,000 (Syrian refugees coming to Canada). There must be proper screening, and they must have two things: language training and a job.”

Raitt, a 48 year old lawyer who is MP for Milton Ontario, tells Kiss FM she disagrees with Prime Minister Trudeau using Canadian female executives for a photo op with US President Donald Trump last week.

“It almost feels like he’s using Canadian women to curry favour with the president and his daughter Ivanka Trump. Other people are writing about it now, but that was my initial gut instinct.”

Among those on hand for the visit were current Conservative MP Mel Arnold, former MP Colin Mayes, former Vernon mayor Wayne McGrath, and Vernon Monashee Liberal MLA Eric Foster.

Leadership candidate Erin O’Toole will be the guest speaker at the local Conservative Association’s AGM at the Vernon Golf Club Match 4.

Raitt and the other 13 candidates will hold a debate in Vancouver on Sunday.

Party members will choose their new leader May 27.

Photo: Lisa Raitt at the Schubert Centre in Vernon.