Conservative Leadership race: A discussion - Punjabi

RADIO - 1350 AM Ramz Punjabi - Brampton, 14/05/2020 - TALK SHOW, 10 mins, Punjabi

Summary: Bobby Sidhu, a guest on the show said that Peter MacKay, a Conservative leadership candidate is a big name in Nova Scotia and in Atlantic Canada. He held a number of portfolios under former prime minister Stephen Harper. When the leadership election was called, it was thought that it is going to be more like a coronation for Peter MacKay. Erin O’Toole was a veteran minister in the Harper cabinet. He has served in the Canadian army. He has also worked as a corporate lawyer. Both the candidates - MacKay and O’Toole - are considered front runners. Other leadership hopefuls, Leslyn Lewis and Derek Sloan are big names among social conservatives. Another guest, Harry Dhaliwal said that Peter MacKay is the founding member of the Conservative Party, and most people know his name. Erin O’Toole came into the picture after 2012. Lewis represents minorities. Dhaliwal said that there were 7 leadership candidates, but the fee of $300,000 has made it difficult for some candidates to qualify. However, MacKay and O’Toole are popular in our community. We do not need to tell the community members who to vote for, but candidates should talk about their plans and policies and let the community decide who they want to vote for in this leadership race. Host Harjinder Gill said that the enthusiasm about the Conservative leadership race that used to be very high in the Brampton community has been observed to be very low this time, maybe due to the COVID-19 pandemic.