The Huron-Bruce Federal Liberal Association held their Annual General Meeting in Wingham over the weekend to elect a new executive and board of directors.
Allan Thompson, the Federal Liberal candidate for the riding in the October 19th 2015 Federal Election told CKNX News they're already looking ahead to the next election in 2019.
Thompson says the Huron-Bruce riding plays an important role in the future of rural Ontario and Canada; he says Huron-Bruce is as rural as it gets.
"If we're trying to figure out, how do we meet the needs of people who live in a rural community, in a rural setting in Canada, let's look ata place like Huron-Bruce, we can start there. If we can meet the needs, the desires and the concerns of people who live in a place like Huron-Bruce, we can do a lot across rural Canada," says Thompson.
London West Liberal MP, Kate young, was guest speaker at the AGM, and Thompson says he agrees with her statement that "the path to victory for Justin Trudeau's Liberals in the next election has to go through rural Ontario.
Thompson says making a connection with rural areas like Huron-Bruce is vital.
As for running again in 2019, Thompson says he hasn't ruled out the possibility.
"The Liberal Party came a long way in this riding and made some real strides," notes Thompson. "At the meeting, I looked out in the room and saw al of these people who worked on my election campaign and I have to keep those people in mind; I think I owe it to them to give it some consideration."
The new executive for the Huron-Bruce Federal Liberal Association includes: President Virginia Schenk; 1st Executive VP Duncan Jewell; 2nd Executive VP Erica Murray; Treasurer Peter Morris; Secretary Kelly Collier; Membership chair Kevin Wilbee; Policy chair Maarten Bokhout; Communications chair Allan Thompson; Election Readiness Chair Murray Elston; Fundraising chair Gloria Wilbee; Youth chair Sean Mitchell; and Outreach chair Ann MacKay. Directors at large: Ken Bridge, Steve Adams, Ian Burbidge, Rod MacDonald, Geordie Palmer, Nick Whyte, Kimberley Payne, Jack Riddell, Paul Steckle, Mary Ellen Ross, Justin Anstett, John Schenk, Islay Eby, Ross Lamont and Don Edward.
London West Liberal MP Kate Young, guest speaker at the Huron-Bruce Federal Liberal Assocation annual general meeting March 5th in Wingham.
(photo submitted)