Shane Barnes, SDC Youth Social Director

LONDON: Five SDC youth attended the London Convention 27 - 29 May, which was a joint venture between the Ontario PC Youth (OPCYA) and the Campus Conservatives (CC’s). Conservative youth gathered to elect a new Executive, learn something new, and have a great time with fellow Tories.

“Conventions are always exciting, but this one was exhilarating!” said Joanna Franklin, candidate for Secretary/Treasurer, “SDC certainly had a viable presence there. Not only did we field three candidates, but we were also selected the Best Youth Association in Ontario.”

Starting Friday evening, Tory MP Bev Oda and Past OPCYA President Patrick Harris paid tribute to outgoing President Mike Wilson. The CC’s also roasted their outgoing President Kasra Nejatian.

On Saturday, Ontario PC Leader John Tory congratulated the Youth on convention attendance and challenged them to double it for next time. Dr. Kelly Leitch and Louise Harris gave advice to aspiring interns. Tory MP Jason Kenney, a prominent supporter of the Youth and CC’s, addressed the audience over lunch. Then Ezra Levant, Conservative pundit, and Tasha Kheiriddin, Provincial Director of the Canadian Taxpayer’s Federation, hosted a question & answer session.

Candidates for all contested positions gave their speeches Saturday afternoon followed breakout sessions. Mike Wilson, then, presented awards to outstanding associations and individuals. Presidential candidates, James Murphy and Leslie Morrison, presented their speeches to delegates just before dinner. That evening, both candidates and the CC’s held hospitality suites.

The all-important voting was Sunday morning. The new Youth Executive is as follows:

President - Leslie Morrison
Vice President - Craig Stevens
2nd Vice President - Adam Chambers
Communications - Shane Barnes
Policy - Rob Elliott
Fundraising - Andrew Brander
Recruitment - Kathleen Perchaluk
High Schools - Andrea Khanjin
Membership - Jonathan Amor
Secretary/Treasurer - Tabitha Dubblestyne

Kudos to them and fellow candidates James Murphy, Andrew Miller, Joanna Franklin, JJ Hollister, Kyle Simunovic, Rob Allen, and Nick Koolsbergen for displaying discipline and unity in a hotly contested campaign!