Another person has entered the race to be the next Progressive Conservative provincial candidate for Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound.
The Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound Progressive Conservative Riding Association confirms former West Grey Councillor Stephen Townsend has been approved as the “fourth and final candidate” for the upcoming nomination meeting.
Townsend was a one-term West Grey councillor from 2018-22, before making an unsuccessful run to be the municipality’s mayor. His career included work in multiple roles in the insurance industry, a bio from the party says. Currently, Townsend resides on a hobby farm with his wife outside Durham.
“Rural communities face many challenges urban areas do not,” Townsend says in a statement on the Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound PC Association website. “Therefore, their government representatives must be well prepared, skilled and knowledgeable to effectively address them.”
“I commit to work tirelessly, serving my community, using the known and experience I’ve developed should you elect me to be your candidate in the next provincial election,” he continues.
Members of the Ontario PC Party who live in Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound will be choosing their candidate in the next provincial election at a nomination meeting on Saturday, Jan. 18 at the Harry Lumley Bayshore Community Centre.
In addition to Townsend, Owen Sound Coun. Brock Hamley, former West Grey Mayor Christine Robinson and former Meaford Coun. Paul Vickers will be on the ballot.
A notice from the local riding association says the deadline is tomorrow — Saturday, Jan. 4 at 5 p.m. — to be a party member to be eligible to vote at the Jan. 18 nomination meeting.
Current Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound Progressive Conservative MPP Rick Byers announced this past September he won’t be running for another term, whenever the next Ontario election occurs. The province’s next election doesn’t have to be held until June 4, 2026, but political parties have been nominating candidates amid steady speculation from Queen’s Park that Premier Doug Ford could call an election sometime this year.
