Pallister keeps rural focus in new role 0
By Angela Brown, Portage Daily Graphic
Manitoba opposition leader Brian Pallister rebuked the per-vote subsidy proposal by the NDP. (File photo)
Former Portage-Lisgar MP, Brian Pallister has been acclaimed Leader of the Progressive Conservative Party in Manitoba, and is beginning to get organized for his new job.
On Monday, Pallister discussed some of his plans ahead.
"We are going to be conducting briefings over the next couple of days," he said. "I'll be looking to get a real good sense of what my colleagues in the caucus team believe to be the major issues of importance. We'll be building through other exercises in the near future -- building an even stronger team."
Pallister said he is grateful for all the support he received during his campaign.
"I want to thank the volunteers who helped us throughout the campaign -- the people who got memberships, the people who sold memberships and the people who put on events and hosted me in the last 10 months. It’s been a very active and intense period in my life, and the life of all my family.”
Pallister also mentioned he will be relying a great deal on team work.
"The first thing with building a vision is that it isn't good enough if it is just yours," he said. "Building a shared vision is what I am after. I'll be building that vision and sharing that process with my colleagues in the caucus. I don't come in with a very much top-down mentality on these things. In public policy, I want -- like everyone who has ever run for office ever wants -- to make a difference. To make that difference I have to work together with my colleagues on the building of that plan we are going to put together for the future of Manitoba."
While Pallister came in acclaimed for the title of Leader of the Opposition Party, he said there was a great deal of interest from others who were initially considering running.
"As many as 10 people at various times did investigate ... and looked for support to get involved in the process. But a tremendous commitment is required to pursue that," he said. "That is why I start by thanking Hugh McFadyen for the commitment he made ... to the process. I am a competitor. I like competition. I would have enjoyed the contest, ... but I assure you I ran my campaign as if there were 10 other people in the race."
He added many successful premiers have also been acclaimed for their position in the past.
"Throughout Canadian history there have been many occasions when a consensus developed around who should be the leader,” said Pallister. “I am proud to say I believe that consensus developed in Manitoba in this process."
angela.brown@sunmedia.ca
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