Chris Savard

By Elisabeth Johns
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Cornwall

December 4, 2006:

Former City Councillor turned provincial Conservative party candidate Chris Savard has already been hitting the campaign trail.

So far, he estimates he’s been to 62 events around the riding of Stormont, Dundas and South Glengarry just in November – and the Ontario election is still 302 days away.

Savard was at an election readiness meeting at the Ramada Inn in Cornwall for the 15 eastern Ontario seats on the weekend, along with the President of the Conservative party, Blair McCreadie.

McCreadie said the meeting focused on training sessions, fundraising strategies, candidate searches and policy platform promoting.

“There have been a staggering number of broken promises under the (Dalton) McGuinty Liberal government,” McCreadies said Saturday.

THOUSANDS OF JOBS LOST

“There have been 90,000 manufacturing jobs lost in this province, 2,000 of those jobs right here in Cornwall.”

“At the end of the day, voters in 2007 will be looking for change,” he added.

Liberal MPP Jim Brownell has been championed for bringing much needed funding to the area, for things such as the widening of Brookdale Avenue, and has agreed that the funding formula for the power dam is unfair.

The power dam is currently assessed at $101 million. If the province were to pay taxes on its full value, the city would stand to receive some $7.5 million each year.

But Brownell has also taken some hits for a private member’s bill he introduced, which is meant to protect the grave sites of Ontario’s deceased Premiers.

Blair McCreadie Ontario PC Party President

CRITICIZED BILL

Opposition members criticized the bill upon second reading, saying perhaps that shouldn’t be considered the most important issue in SD&G following the Domtar closure.

Stormont, Dundas and South Glengarry is an important seat for the Conservative party, McCreadie said as he praised Savard for the “skills he brings to the table.”

“With (party leader) John Tory and Chris Savard as a great local candidate, we present an alternative and funded plan to restore trust and accountability in Queen’s Park,” he added.

Savard said he plans to “hit the ground running” in the new year and, so far, says volunteer recruitment has far exceeded his expectations.

“I’m hearing a lot (from constituents) about the McGuinty broken promises, about the health tax,” Savard said.

chris@chrissavard.ca