Northern Tories rally behind new Conservative leader
Northern Ontario Tories are hoping new leader Pierre Poilievre will help them build on the momentum they're seeing across the region.
Supporters are already lining up to get in behind Poilievre, including former leadership rival Parry Sound-Muskoka MP Scott Aitchison.
"I'm immensely proud of the race that I ran and what my team put together," Aitchison told CTV News.
"You run to win but I think it was a bit of a long shot for me all along. I'm just pleased that Pierre won with the decisive victory that he did."
To win on the first ballot with 68 per cent of the vote, as Poilievre did, is a strong vote of confidence.
"I think he does have an appeal for Northerners," Aitchison said.
"So many of the issues that are traditional NDP voters, what they're concerned about, the NDP isn't speaking to those issues in a way that resonates. And I think Conservatives are and I think we can win more of those seats."
Many people who were skeptical have already noticed a shift in Poilievre's tone, he added.
"I think you've seen his tone become dramatically more prime ministerial," Aitchison said.
"His victory speech that night I think was excellent. His comments to caucus struck the right tone and in terms of policy, he's got the right policy. I think he's demonstrating policy that will actually deliver solutions."
Dr. Ian Symington, past riding president and Conservative candidate in Sudbury, was on vacation at the time of the win. However, he said he was pleased with the results.
"I think I've been telling everyone that's great to have a decisive win because it leaves little room for argument, it was a big percentage that he won by," said Symington.
He said Sudbury voted more than 75 per cent in favour of Poilievre, while the numbers in Nickel Belt were even higher at 80 per cent.
"The members are very pleased with him with the voting numbers that we're seeing with the individual polling," Symington said.
"I think all of the issues that we're seeing in northern Ontario with inflation, rising interest rates, affordable housing, those are things that speak to people who feel they've been left behind … and his message resonates with people including those in northern Ontario."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING King Charles' cancer treatment progressing well, says Buckingham Palace
King Charles III’s doctors are 'sufficiently pleased' with his cancer treatment and he is expected to return to public-facing duties, Buckingham Palace announced on Friday.
Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
AFN chief says Air Canada offered a 15% discount after her headdress was mishandled
After the Assembly of First Nations' national chief complained to Air Canada about how staffers treated her and her ceremonial headdress on a flight this week, she says the airline responded by offering a 15 per cent discount on her next flight.
Regina police officer injured after being accidentally shot by fellow officer's gun
An investigation is underway after a Regina police officer was accidentally shot by a fellow officer’s gun during the search of a house early Friday morning.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
DEVELOPING Bird flu outbreaks: WHO weighs in on public health risk
The current overall public health risk posed by the H5N1 bird flu virus is low, the World Health Organization said on Friday, but urged countries to stay alert for cases of animal-to-human transmission.
Taylor Swift dons Montreal designer's dress in 'Fortnight' video
A pair of Montreal designers' work has now been viewed over 41 million times. Taylor Swift dons a Victorian throwback black gown in her latest music video, 'Fortnight', designed by UNTTLD due Simon Belanger and Jose Manuel Saint-Jacques.
From faulty kids' cribs to flammable kids' bathrobes, here are the recalls of the week
Health Canada issued recalls for various items this week, including kids’ bathrobes, cribs and henna cones.
Island near Mull of Kintyre for sale for US$3.1 million
An idyllic 453-acre private island is up for sale off the west coast of Scotland and it comes with sandy beaches, puffins galore, seven houses, a pub, a helipad and a flock of black-faced sheep.