Jones will not be seeking Conservative leadership

June 29, 2014 · 0 Comments

By Bill Rea
The Progressive Conservative caucus at Queen’s Park will soon be looking for an interim leader.
Dufferin-Caledon MPP Sylvia Jones confirmed that Leader Tim Hudak has sent a letter to caucus members, announcing his plans to step down this coming Wednesday, adding as caucus chair, she has set up a meeting to name an interim leader.
She has also made it clear she’s not interested in the job, either on an interim or permanent basis.
Jones said Tuesday she expects there will be a contest for the interim job.
“There are a number of candidates who have expressed an interest,” she commented. “So I think there will actually be a vote.”
As chair of caucus, Jones will be in charge of running the vote, so she won’t be in the running.
“I have opted not to seek that role,” she said. “It’s kind of hard to preside over your own election.”
She stressed she has no aspirations to be leader.
“I love being in the riding as much as I have the opportunity to do that,’ she said. “I’m proud of the fact that Dufferin-Caledon re-elected me, and I’ll continue playing that role.”
Jones added she wants to remain available to her constituents, which would be difficult if she were to take on the role of leader.
“People can reach me relatively pain-free,” she commented.
Hudak had announced his plans to step down election night, after the Liberals under Premier Kathleen Wynne won a majority at Queen’s Park.
The caucus met last week, and Jones said there was some bitterness, which didn’t surprise her. People there had been expecting they would form the next government.
“That energy, that anger has to be transferred somewhere,” she observed.
She also thought Hudak was proud of the race he ran, basing it on his own beliefs and values. She added it’s never nice to lose. “At least you don’t have the regret of ‘I should have done this, I could have done this,’” she observed.
Win a pedal tractor or mountain bike at Tractor Pull
The Albion and Bolton Agricultural Society will be presenting the 36th annual Bolton Truck and Tractor Pull tomorrow (Friday).
It will start at 6 p.m. at the Fairground at the top of the south hill of Bolton.
This year’s event promises to be full of fun, smoke and noise.
There will be lots of fun for the children. Bring them out for pedal kart rides, monster truck tattoos and a jumpy house. All of these activities are provided free of charge by the Agricultural Society. Once again this year, there will be the children’s draw. All children eight and younger will have the opportunity to win the grand prize of a pedal tractor donated by Clark Moore Motors. For those kids eight to 12 years old, they will be eligible to win a mountain bike donated by Bolton Canadian Tire. All you need to do to enter is fill out an entry form, which will be available at the tractor pull or download a copy off the Agricultural Society’s website (www.boltonfair.ca), and drop it into the ballot box in Kids Land. The children’s grand prize draw will take place at 9:30 p.m.
There will be a free shuttle bus service running from 5 p.m. until midnight. The pick-up locations are the Caledon Centre for Recreation and Wellness at the back gravel parking lot, and at Holy Family Church.
For more information about this fun family event, visit the website at www.boltonfair.ca