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Lisa Thompson of Teeswater is the provincial Progressive Conservative (PC) candidate for Huron-Bruce.

In the preferential ballot, she won by nine votes over Huron-Kinloss mayor Mitch Twolan. Saugeen Shores councillor Taun Frosst was third.

About 1,300 to 1,400 PC party faithful packed the ice surface at the Ripley-Huron Community Centre Saturday for the nomination meeting. 

Thompson's nominator, Sam Snobelen of Ripley, told the crowd that he has known Thompson for 20 years and she has made a huge success of the Ontario Dairy Goat Co-op in Teeswater, growing it to $14-million in sales, from $2.2-million over six years.

She has the leadership to do the job and is committed to small towns and rural communities, said Snobelen. "She is honest and hard-working and has the business sense needed to help rural Ontario at Queen's Park. I'm certain she will be an exceptional Member of Provincial Parliament."

Marguerite Oberle Thomas seconded the nomination and said Thompson is well-organized, well-spoken and well-respected, and has support from all corners of the riding.

Lisa Thompson wins the nomination

Thompson said it's time for a change. "This riding deserves better," she said. "The provincial election (Oct. 6) is about the economy, and the PC party is committed to rescuing the Ontario economy and embarking on an urban and rural recovery."

Mighty Ontario has been relegated to the status of a 'have-not' province, receiving transfer payments from the federal government to make ends meet, she said. "The Liberal plan of taxing more and spending more is not a financial strategy. The Liberals are continuing to make promises that the taxpayers cannot afford."

Thompson referred to major problems in the province, such as school closures, vacant downtown streets in rural areas, and the Green Energy Act.

"We need a new kind of leadership at Queen's Park," she said. "We need to try different things. ... These are challenging times. Some say we've lost our rural voice but perhaps nobody is listening."

Twolan and his nominators were piped in by Jennifer Farrell of the Kincardine Scottish Pipe Band.

Bruce County warden and Saugeen Shores mayor Mike Smith nominated Twolan as a respected colleague and a good friend.

Mitch Twolan (C) with his nominators Erin Roy (L) and Mike Smith

"I've worked with him for five years," said Smith. "He is mayor of Huron-Kinloss and served a year as warden of Bruce County. We need a strong voice with proven experience as our representative on the government of Ontario. Mitch can be that voice."

Erin Roy of Bayfield, seconded the nomination, saying Twolan is the right person for the job. "He has an extensive background in municipal politics and has served his community for 13 years, seven of those as mayor. For 15 years he has operated his business in Huron and Bruce counties."

She said Twolan brings a wealth of understanding about the Bruce Nuclear site which is of strategic importance to Huron-Bruce.

"He has the ability to bring people together, build consensus and get the job done," she said.

Twolan began by thanking his campaign team, his supporters and his family for encouraging him throughout the process on the road to the nomination meeting.

He said the biggest problem for Huron-Bruce is that its voice is not being heard at Queen's Park. "We are looking for someone who can lead the riding, someone to listen."

With his municipal experience, he can do the job.

One major issue in rural Ontario is the Green Energy Act, with wind and solar projects. "They're pitting neighbour against neighbour in our communities. There are costs - to our finances, our health, our social fabric, and our environment. But what is the real cost?"

Health care is another huge issue in rural communities, said Twolan. "Hospitals are struggling to stay open. Long-term care facilities have huge waiting lists and they're getting longer. Money has been wasted on eHealth and the LHINS (Local Health Integration Networks)."

He said there are huge challenges for agriculture today. "Farmers Feed Cities - there has never been a truer statement."

The nuclear industry is a major part of the Huron-Bruce economy, he said, noting that the refurbishment of the Bruce site offers huge economic spin-offs.

There are the poor, the elderly and children in need. "We must have leadership to help those who need us the most," said Twolan. "And we must remember those who fought for our freedom."

In his speech, Frosst said the objective in nominating a provincial candidate is to get Liberal premier Dalton McGuinty out of Queen's Park, and get PC party leader Tim Hudak into office.

Taun Frosst speaks to the crowd

He touched on several issues, with wind turbines topping the list. "There are economic and health problems, and I don't like sending that much money to overseas interests."

The solution, he said, is to have small turbines built on each farmer's property, rather than large industrial wind developments. "Our farmers should be self-sustaining without the need for wind turbines (on their land)."

He said energy costs are skyrocketing with increased gas prices, but no reason for it. "We're paying $1.27/litre at the pumps when we should be paying $1.13/litre."

As for high hydro costs, he suggested the province look closer at using water to generate power, the same way Quebec Hydro does along James Bay.

Frosst advocated more private seniors residences, provided they are municipally-managed and have a community group overseeing them. "Our elderly - our parents and grandparents - should be looked after with the respect they deserve. I want to see that happen."

As for health care, the LHINs are just ridiculously-high salaries paid to non-elected officials when that money could be used for front-line services, said Frosst.

The candidates offer Thompson their support after she wins the nomination



Lisa Thompson (C) with her parents, Sydney (L) and Winona Thompson



Sandra Buchanan (L), Janette McClean and Marguerite Oberle Thomas cheer for Lisa Thompson



Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound MPP Bill Murdoch provides the entertainment



Jennifer Farrell (L) of the Kincardine Scottish Pipe Band pipes in Mike Smith, Erin Roy and Mitch Twolan



Alexandra Bromaroff, Taun Frosst's niece, waves a sign of support for him

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Sunday, May 01, 2011