Number of highly qualified candidates will come forward: Rae

Bob Rae examines the “Bite Me” apples with Peter Tinsley and Colin Campbell.

Liberal Party Interim Leader Bob Rae told local party supporters and friends he must and would remain neutral, when asked about Justin Trudeau being expected to announce his candidacy for the leadership of the Liberal Party of Canada Tuesday.
The party’s current top gun was the guest of honour at the Prince Edward Hastings ridings’ speaker series last week. On that subject he would only say he believed a number of highly qualified candidates would come forward.
Recovering from laryngitis, he attended a party fundraiser and meet and greet followed by a gathering of supporters and others at the public gathering.
“He spoke for about 45 minutes and answered questions from a highly engaged audience for another 45 minutes,” said Peter Tinsley, the local association’s immediate past candidate. “This was a challenge as he was recovering from laryngitis, and obviously set his recovery back, but he stayed the course, leaving people with a lot to think about.”

Colin Campbell, of Campbell’s Orchards, presented his “Bite Me” apples as a local suggestion for a  civil response to the Prime Minister and Conservatives in Question Period.
Tinsley had introduced Rae to this first of the fall/winter series of Bridge Forum
events.
“One of the main purposes of the Bridge Forum series is to give the opportunity for the community to speak openly with elected members on important topical issues – something that no other party is doing right now.”

Tinsley noted Rae’s message was principally about the current state of government and how he believes it has recently diminished dramatically.
“He reflected on the divisive and polarized state today which has not been experienced before and which does not serve Canadians well.  He indicated that true and civil
conversation with and within government has to be restored and that the Liberal Party was positioned to do that.”

In response to questions he indicated that responding to important social issues, such as drug usage, by simply passing laws increasing penalties and believing the matter has been dealt with is not the way to go, “that we must be smart on crime as well as tough on crime by looking at causes and consequences.”

Rae, and his wife Arlene, were thanked by the Prince Edward Hastings Federal Liberal Association with the presentation of a glass plate from a Wellington craftsman. They expressed great appreciation, calling it “a work of art”.