'It's better than an NHL playoff game': Winnipeg Conservatives weigh in on leadership race, Scheer win
Winnipeg Conservatives gathered with beer and snacks to watch as votes came in for the party's new leader on Saturday, culminating in the election of Saskatchewan MP Andrew Scheer.
The year-long race ended as Scheer, the former speaker of the House, beat Quebec MP Maxime Bernier by less than one percentage point.
"It's better than an NHL playoff game," said Manitoba Progressive Conservative MLA Steven Fletcher.
Fletcher was at the viewing party that started at 4 p.m. in the press box of the MTS Iceplex. He doesn't think the party needs to worry about unity after the tight race.
"We're going to be united, strong. It's going to be fine and we're going to be in a very good position," he said. "I think there'll be a Conservative government after the next federal election."
Fletcher is a staunch supporter of Maxime Bernier, but he said Scheer has plenty to offer.
"I spent almost five years sitting right next to him in the House of Commons, because he was the speaker, and I was immediately to his right," he said. "So I think he's very well-spoken, lovely family and very smart. He's a good guy."
'Strong, broad base of support'
Luc Lewandoski and Carole Tattersall both attended the viewing party and started the day supporting Erin O'Toole, the former veterans affairs minister and current MP for Durham.
Tattersall said Scheer was her second pick.
"I believe in honesty and integrity, and O'Toole and Scheer represent those to me," she said.
Lewandoski, who helped with O'Toole's campaign, said he was proud of the work his team did, and praised Scheer for his likability and experience at the federal level.
"I think he's a generally likeable guy. I mean, the dimples — he comes across natural," Lewandoski said.
"He's someone that's had long-time experience in Ottawa. He'll be less of a dynamic change agent than what Max would be, but I think Andrew is someone that can easily reach out and talk to voters from one … end of the party spectrum to the other."
Win could spell trouble for Liberals: Prof
Lewandoski said he was surprised by the wide range of candidates who took part in the race.
"Just how broad it is. We had a large field of candidates … really, if you look at that first ballot support, there were a lot of candidates that delivered a lot of members and a lot of support for themselves," he said.
"So I think that just goes to show that the Canadian Conservative Party, we've got a very strong, broad base of support from a lot of Canadians."
Local political analyst Christopher Adams said some were disappointed in Bernier's loss. But he said Scheer's ideals may resonate with Manitobans and cause trouble for the Liberals in 2019.
"I think his policies are a little bit more palatable to a lot of middle class voters here in Winnipeg, especially in terms of public services, Crown corporations and things like that," he said. "There are some seats that will be vulnerable in the next election in part because Andrew Scheer is their leader."
