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Tilson narrowly retains D-C Conservative nomination

May 29, 2014   ·   0 Comments

By Bill Rea and James Matthews – In the end, Dufferin-Caledon Conservatives narrowly chose seasoned experience over the young upstart to represent them in the 2015 federal election.

While an exact vote count was not officially disclosed, last Friday’s nomination meeting at the Orangeville Fairgrounds Event Centre went almost to midnight and several sources said the count was “very close.” With more than 650 voting. the registered riding association members chose the long-time incumbent MP David Tilson over Palgrave-area resident Paul Hong, a Tory adviser in Ottawa.

While the actual tally was not announced  – the customary motion to destroy the ballots was passed just before the meeting adjourned – several sources later said Mr. Tilson won by only 11 votes.

“A lot closer than any of us thought,” one person commented shortly after Mr. Tilson’s acceptance address.

Mr. Hong, 35, surprised Dufferin-Caledon last month when he announced his intention to challenge Mr. Tilson, 73, for the right to represent the riding in the next election. He clearly had a well-organized campaign machine in many volunteers and a plethora of promotional materials.

Area Conservatives had been mailed glossy brochures and pledge letters in the weeks leading up to the meeting. Mr. Tilson, for his part, distributed two regular letter-sized, double-sided pages that detailed his experience and praise from Ottawa colleagues.

Despite the Hong camp’s campaign bells and whistles, the Mr. Tilson’s effort centred on projected electoral victory based on voting trends over previous outings. The incumbent garnered more than 59 percent of the vote in the 2011 general election. That’s after having unseated Liberal MP Murray Calder in the 2004 federal general election, ending his decade-long reign. Mr. Tilson’s margins of victory increased in each of the 2006 and 2008 campaigns.

“Strong leadership is something I have remained committed to as your representative,” he told the hundreds of party members in attendance.

Mr. Hong’s main push was the notion that renewal is needed in the riding if the party is to maintain the Parliamentary seat. He said Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau is a threat to a Tory government and must be stopped through renewal. One listening to Mr. Hong pitch his case wished for more synonyms for the word renewal.

He spoke much about the Liberal threat to Conservative values without delving into what those values are and mean to Conservatives. That left many at the back of the room to lament the much-broached Conservative values term being reduced to merely a shallow campaign promise.

“Through renewal, the party and the riding can avoid complacency,” Mr. Hong said in a much longer speech than Mr. Tilson’s. “If we don’t renew our ranks now, the party will go into the 2019 election with inexperienced candidates.”

“It’s been a great night,” Mr. Tilson declared as he accepted the nomination.

He added the turnout showed the spirit of the party locally is as strong as ever.

“I’m confident we’re going to have another majority,” he said.

Mr. Tilson was also complimentary of Mr. Hong.

“There always has to be a winner, and I must say I’m glad it’s me,” he remarked.

Mr. Tilson later said the experience was just like an election, meaning there was a great sense of relief when he got the results.

“You’re always worried when you run in an election,” he observed, adding one has to deal with both highs and lows in politics.

He also said he had a large team of volunteers helping him all over the riding. “I owe these people a great debt for all the hours they spent.”

Mr. Hong appeared to be in an upbeat mood after the meeting.

“We put our best campaign forward,” he said. “I’m proud of what my team and I put forward.”

He also said he will be on Mr. Tilson’s side during the next election, which will be held no later than October 2015.

“I am a Conservative,” he declared. “I will work on Conservative campaigns. I will work on keeping this riding blue.”

In his address, Mr. Tilson stressed his experience, citing the success at keeping the riding Tory since 2004. The count in Dufferin-Caledon in the last campaign was one of the highest for the party in Ontario, as he said he was ahead in every poll.

“We can all be proud of what we achieved in 2011,” he declared, adding that success was due to the dedication that will be key to the next campaign.

Mr. Tilson also said his record speaks for itself, as he cited numerous accomplishments over his time in office, including federal contributions to Theatre Orangeville, the arena in Caledon East and Caledon Centre for Recreation and Wellness, as well as support for youth services and community groups. He also stressed his connections in Ottawa.

“I work closely with my colleagues in Ottawa, as well as with the Prime Minister.”

Mr. Tilson also drew applause when he mentioned his private member’s bill, with toughened the penalties for those convicted of vandalizing cenotaphs or war memorials.

As well, Mr. Tilson said he has always been accountable, constantly attending community events throughout the riding.

He also stressed that he has lived in the riding for more than 40 years, having started his law practice in Orangeville, so he knows the problems of starting and running a small business.

“I have built extensive relationships with community groups and organizations across this great riding,” he declared. “We will need that experience to challenge Justin Trudeau and his lack of experience.”

In stressing the need for the party to renew itself, Mr. Hong told the meeting: “You are here because you believe in Conservative values,” adding that Mr. Trudeau poses a threat to those values, “and we believe he must be stopped.

“We can stop Justin Trudeau across Canada and right here in Dufferin-Caledon,” he added, stressing that can only happen if the party members are prepared to make the tough decisions in the direction of renewal.

“Renewal is not an easy process,” Mr. Hong said. “Renewal is an important part of all aspects of life.”

He also said it’s a vital part of the political process.

Mr. Hong also warned that the Liberals under Mr. Trudeau would likely improve their standing after the 2015 election, probably regaining Official Opposition standing by taking seats away from the NDP and Tories. But he asked the party members to think about what could happen in the election of 2019 if the Conservatives fail to renew themselves.

“If we don’t start to renew our ranks now, we will go into the 2019 election with a roster of inexperienced candidates Canadians don’t know or trust,” he warned.

While expressing appreciation for all Mr. Tilson has done, Mr. Hong said this was the time for renewal in the riding, and that he was the one to bring it.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper has until October 2015 to drop the writ and send Canadians to the polls.

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